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Quick answer: A synthetic bow, made from carbon fiber, fiberglass, or a composite blend, contains no wildlife-regulated material. That means no CITES paperwork, no proving when the wood was harvested, and no risk of a customs hold, whether you're driving to a regional festival or flying overseas for a tour. For a wood bow made from pernambuco (Paubrasilia echinata), none of that is guaranteed anymore. What Changed at the Most Recent CITES Conference Pernambuco, the wood most

If you play violin, viola, cello, or bass, you’ll eventually need to rehair your bow — but not every bow is actually built to make that process easy. Here’s what rehairing involves, why some production bows cause problems for rehairing specialists, and how to choose a bow that will hold up for years of maintenance ahead. What Does It Mean to Rehair a Bow? Rehairing is the routine process of replacing the horsehair strung between a bow’s frog and tip, and it’s a standard part

Selecting the right bow for your instrument can significantly impact your performance and overall sound quality. Understanding the nuances of bow selection is crucial. In this guide, we will explore various factors to consider when choosing a bow, the types available, and how to match them to your instrument. Close-up view of a violin bow resting on a wooden surface Understanding Bow Types 1. Bow Materials The material of the bow plays a vital role in its performance. Here ar

Pernambuco wood has shaped the tone, balance, and feel of violin, viola, cello, and bass bows for more than two centuries. It’s also an endangered natural resource, which raises an important question for string musicians: how do you choose a high-performance bow that is both excellent to play and responsibly sourced? Here’s what every violinist, violist, cellist, and bassist should know about pernambuco, carbon fiber, and the future of sustainable bow making. What Is Pernambu