Why Violin Bows Are So Expensive | So Expensive

In 2017, a single violin bow sold at auction for $690,000. You can buy a beginner's bow for less than $50, but a top-rate professional bow can often cost thousands of dollars. A bow like this is completely handcrafted by skilled artisans. And just one can take an entire week to make. Even the most subtle differences in the way a bow is made will change how well it plays. So why would someone pay so much for a bow? And what makes it so expensive?

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Why Professional Violin Bows Are So Expensive | So Expensive

[gamingsoup]

As someone who was playing violin in orchestra for almost 10 years I love when videos like this are viewed by people unfamiliar with this.

[BeingJapan]

I studied Cello, and had a beginner bow. I tried my teacher's bow, which cost 10k USD, and it was a totally different sound and feel. As a beginner, I could not understand how a stick and hair could be different, or more expensive. It was like I was flying a single propeller air plane and my teacher was piloting the Space Shuttle. Amazing differences.

[aioiyuuko]

She looks exactly like a person who I imagine makes handmade violin bows as her passion

[simonsaysism]

This might be the closest real-life analogy I've ever seen for wandmaking in Harry Potter

[l.a.xgunner]

I use to own one. My old voilin teacher presented me a $1000+ bow which was amazing. It can make a massive difference while playing.

[hecapan]

This makes complete sense. I just bought my first professional bow and I was able to audition about 20 different bows at the same time. Each one was subtlety different and performed differently. I was very happy with the one I chose. So was my teacher…who offered to buy it off me when he tried it! But I said no lol. It’s my precious…

[watchdealer]

Wow, the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into it... Definitely worth it.

[yunxi.]

"must be rehaired every 3 months"
Me who hasn't had my bow rehaired in all 5 years of having it: ...

[_percent]

If your wallet can empty slowly, it can empty quickly

[samsam]

I've been a bow maker for 15 years. What's important is the stick, it's thickness and camber. Poor sticks are difficult to turn into good sticks. I make bows out of Pernambuco and ipea. The Pernambuco is alwaysa better bow
. A good stick which is still in it's raw form can run from $100 to $300. A Lukie reading is used to tell the quality. If it has a high rating, 5500, then we check specific density and vibration. The rest of the material is not costly, just a bit of silver, ebony, mother of pearl. A hank of top quality hair runs less then $20.00. So why would a bow sell for $6, 000? Beats me, but I'll take the money.

[alamsyahmutaqin]

Much powerful if she uses unicorn hairs, Phoenix tail feathers & the heartstrings of dragons.

[Clawwingo]

These little things in life are just great to watch who agrees?

[crosstiph]

I'm a student violinist and I'm blown away at how expensive violin bows can be..

[peteacher]

In the '70s I took cello lessons. I'll never forget my father's incredulity when I told him that the bow (a Lupot copy) was worth as much as the instrument! Unfortunately, many fine bows end up under glass in display cabinets to be boasted over by the wealthy owner.

[andrewmaperson]

If you're wondering, the song the violinist was playing at the end was Bach's violin partita no. 4 in d minor, aka "Chaccone"

[jeremythornton]

It's great to see the old ways kept up.Thank you. This was very enlightening!

[watchdealer]

"the bow matters more than the violin" - Stradivarius

[SophieCViolin]

this was so insightful. thank you for making this video! there's so much i didn't know about the bow i use every day

[Spacecookie-]

The person making it declares it so. I've done fine art that's taken far longer and sold for less when it's been drawn with all my skill accumulated over more than 25 years, with fine art education behind me.

[shashimenon]

A great art and service. Truly one of the most unknown. Everyone appreciates the instrument and the musician. But the bow? Wow!