Wooden Cello bows

Cello bows have for centuries been made of wood. More recently synthetic materials have started to catch on but the for now the wooden Cello bow is still very much part of playing the instrument!

Most wooden Cello bows are made from either Pernambuco or Brazilwood. It was in the 18th century that luthiers discovered that Pernambuco wood has a beautiful mix of strength and resilience that made it perfect for making a bow. It is however becoming more scarce and it is normally the more expensive Cello bows that made from Pernambuco.

Brazilwood is a composite of tropical wood species and slightly heavier than Pernambuco, which lessens the “feel” for the cello player. A Pernambuco wood bow is more responsive to the vibrations of the cello, which sends those vibrations back through the bow to the players hand. Brazilwood bows tend to be cheaper bows and while players are not yet accomplished enough to discern the differences in bows, brasilwood cello bows are a very good option.