Finding a good Brazilwood bow for your double bass doesn't need to be complicated. I've spent years playing different bows, and I've learned what separates a solid investment from a waste of money. Let me walk you through what you need to know about Brazilwood bows and which brands offer real value.
What Is Brazilwood Anyway?
Here's something you might not know. Brazilwood isn't one specific type of wood. The name refers to a family of trees called Leguminosae. Portuguese explorers found these trees along the South American coast and noticed they produced a valuable red dye. They called it "pau brasil," which loosely means "red wood." Yes, the country Brazil got its name from these trees.
These woods work well for bow making because they have straight grain and good acoustic properties. The reddish color is a nice bonus. Brazilwood bows cost less than Pernambuco bows, which come from a specific tree in the same family. Pernambuco is harder to obtain and more expensive, but for many players, a good Brazilwood bow does the job beautifully.
Why Consider a Brazilwood Bow?
You might be wondering if you should skip wood and go straight to carbon fiber or save up for Pernambuco. Here's my take. The Brazilwood bows offer a middle ground between cheap fiberglass student bows and expensive professional options. They give you the feel and response of a real wooden bow without the cost of Pernambuco.
Top Brazilwood Bow Brands to Consider
Let me break down some brands that consistently deliver quality Brazilwood bows. These are makers I've seen perform well for students and professionals alike.
Gollihur Music House
Gollihur has carried the same Brazilwood bow from the same maker for over two decades. This tells you something about quality and consistency. The bow costs around $185, which is reasonable for what you get. Their bows come in both French and German styles. Both have octagonal Brazilwood sticks with fully lined ebony frogs on the French style and half-lined frogs on the German. You get real abalone mother-of-pearl eyes, not cheap plastic.
One feature I appreciate is the black horsehair. Some players prefer it because it's slightly thicker than white hair. You might get a bit more grab and volume. The hair has good texture without being too coarse. These bows are used by students, professionals, and college bass majors worldwide. The reviews speak for themselves. Check it out on Gollihur's website!
String Emporium's Brazilwood Upright Bass Bows
String Emporium offers its own exclusive Brazilwood bows for $175. They import directly, which helps keep prices down compared to other brands. These bows are copies of famous models. The French styles copy a Francois Tourte bow and a Charles Peccatte bow. The German model copies an H.R. Pfretzschner bow.
They use Ebontek ebony frogs, which is a proprietary material that looks and feels like real ebony but won't crack or shrink over time. This addresses a common problem with cheap ebony that isn't properly seasoned. They finish their bows with tung oil instead of colored varnish. This matters because varnish could rub off or smudge during cleaning or rehairing. Tung oil protects the wood and keeps the bow looking good for years.
String Emporium uses Mongolian gray horsehair on all its bows. This hair comes from northern Mongolia and is considered some of the best in the world. The hair grabs well and maintains its quality for a long time. Explore String Emporium's Brazilwood bows here.
Eastman
Eastman makes two lines of Brazilwood bows worth considering. Their economy line offers entry-level bows for students on a budget. The better line, which includes models like the BB40, features octagonal sticks made from select Brazilwood.
The BB40 series bows are hand-crafted and carefully balanced. They come with fully nickel-mounted ebony frogs and leather grips with imitation whalebone. These bows work well for advancing students who are ready to move up from basic student models. Browse Eastman Brazilwood bows now. Learn more about their craftsmanship here.
Upton Bass Workshop Bows
Upton Bass makes their own UB Workshop Brazilwood bows. These bows feature octagonal reddish Brazilwood sticks that are lightweight, strong, and responsive. The frogs are 100 percent ebony with Parisienne eyes made from figured abalone shell. The slides are abalone, and the ferrules and buttons are nickel.
These bows are built for players who want better tone and playability than fiberglass but with similar strength and durability. Upton doesn't cut corners on materials or construction. FInd Upton’s Brazilwood collection here.
Alternatives If You’re Shopping on a Budget
You'll find Brazilwood bows on Amazon for under $100 from brands like Yinfente, Vingobow, and LIEKE. These bows might work for absolute beginners or as backup bows, but quality control could be inconsistent.
A $98 bow from Fiddlershop or a similar price point from other major retailers might get you started. Remember that your bow is as much a musical instrument as your bass is. Quality matters.
Some Amazon bows use lower-grade materials or have balance issues. A few reviews mention problems with rosin not adhering properly or bows feeling too heavy or light. You might get lucky, or you might end up frustrated.
Breaking In a New Bow
New bows need time to break in. The hair is completely clean when it arrives, which means it needs extra rosin before it will grab properly. Don't get discouraged if your new bow feels slippery at first.
Apply rosin generously for the first few playing sessions. You might need more rosin than you'd use on a broken-in bow. After a week or two of regular playing, the bow should settle in and perform consistently.
When to Upgrade
A quality Brazilwood bow could serve you well for years. You might want to upgrade to Pernambuco or carbon fiber when:
- You're playing professionally and need the extra refinement these materials offer.
- You're playing in a competitive setting where every advantage matters.
- Your current bow limits your technique or sound quality.
- You've outgrown your current bow's capabilities and want more responsiveness or tonal variety.
Many professional players keep a good Brazilwood bow as a backup even after upgrading to more expensive options. These bows are reliable and don't require as much babying as precious Pernambuco bows.
My Personal Recommendation
If I were advising a student or intermediate player looking for their first quality wooden bow, I would have a few recommendations depending on their needs and budget.
For serious students and advancing players, I recommend my "Cobra" Brazilwood bows. I designed these with Michael Zhang specifically for bassists who need professional-level performance. The hand-crafted construction, optimal weight range of 130-140 grams, and carefully calculated balance points make these bows responsive and easy to control. Available in both French and German styles, these bows represent what I believe a quality Brazilwood bow should be. Get your Cobra bow here and see what I mean.