The Violin Bows

The violin is probably one of the hardest instruments to master. Especially the bow is posing many challenges, but at least part of that is not inherent but the result of a miss-match between modern strings and out-of-date wooden bows.

The "modern" pernambuco bow was developed by F. X. Tourte in Paris around 1800. At that time only pure gut strings were played and concert halls were a fraction of today's size. Tourte and his successors made their bows to fit those gut strings and small halls perfectly.

With the advent of large concert halls, steel core strings and metal windings, many bowmakers have tried to make stronger, more resilient bows, but failed because no suitable material could be found. Only with the advent of carbon fiber composites at the end of the 20th century this has changed dramatically.

We manufacture three types of Müsing violin bows: the C-Series matches the finest pernambuco bows in terms of tone and playability. The L- and Ti-Series take this a step further. With their light weight and high tension, they are extremely agile, but also more demanding to handle. Their tone is exceptionally clear, brilliant and rich in colour, allowing for exquisite expression and articulation.

All our bows are just as suitable for beginners as they are for professional musicians. With them, you can master any bowing technique and play any piece to perfection. The higher-end models, in particular, are ideal for recitals, competitions and solo concerts, as well as for chamber music and large orchestras.