Brazilian Bows

[David Powell]

I tried out several bows of Brazilian manufacture recently. I don't know the maker, but they were rebranded and the name escapes me. All of these were used bows, and all from the same maker, some with minor cosmetic flaws and prices ranging from $400 to $1000. The one I liked best was a $400 bow and I think it was pernambuco. And so far that is the only bow I've found in several bow shopping outings that was preferable to the best of my cheap bows, which are probably asian. That particular shop sells quite a few Brazilian bows and apparently takes them back in when customers trade up. The shop deals with one maker and rebrands them. A friend of mine who works at the shop said the Brazilian made bows were an excellent value. There were some that were more expensive also, but I didn't try those.

[Michael Holden]

Originally Posted by David Powell

I tried out several bows of Brazilian manufacture recently. I don't know the maker, but they were rebranded and the name escapes me. All of these were used bows, and all from the same maker, some with minor cosmetic flaws and prices ranging from $400 to $1000. The one I liked best was a $400 bow and I think it was pernambuco. And so far that is the only bow I've found in several bow shopping outings that was preferable to the best of my cheap bows, which are probably asian. That particular shop sells quite a few Brazilian bows and apparently takes them back in when customers trade up. The shop deals with one maker and rebrands them. A friend of mine who works at the shop said the Brazilian made bows were an excellent value. There were some that were more expensive also, but I didn't try those.

I'm curious to find the maker. There aren't that many brazilian bowmakers out there. I think the best known are Arco, Water Violet, Marco Raposo, and Horst John. I really liked all of them a lot.

[Ken McKay]

Michael, I am curious to know if you tried an Arcos bow and how it compared. ??

[Michael Holden]

I have! I really did like the Arco's a lot. IMHO the Horst John bows were a little easier to control and the Horst John's sounded a little bit brighter, but the Arcos' are great bows!

[David Powell]

Originally Posted by Michael Holden

I'm curious to find the maker. There aren't that many brazilian bowmakers out there. I think the best known are Arco, Water Violet, Marco Raposo, and Horst John. I really liked all of them a lot.

The branded name was something that started with an A, but I can't remember it. I'll go back there soon to retry that $400 bow. If I really like it twice, I might buy it. But it barely beats out the best of my cheap bows.

According to my friend, all of the bows with that brand name are sold through Baran's in Decatur and made by the same maker. Baran's has been in business for about a hundred years (joking, but not too far off) so there could be quite a few of them floating around.

[Michael Holden]

hmmm a well known bow from Brazil, with their cheapest line in that price range is Arco. I've never really seen any brazilian bass bow go under $700 though.

[David Powell]

Originally Posted by Michael Holden

hmmm a well known bow from Brazil, with their cheapest line in that price range is Arco. I've never really seen any brazilian bass bow go under $700 though.

All of the ones I looked at were used, and some had some visible dings, etc., and some were close to $700.

[Michael Holden]

If you saw a used Brazilian made bow, made by a well known bowmaker for $400 that's a good deal. Even the used ones go for $500-$600 for the lowend bows.