I play the violin and i want to know the difference between wood and plastic bows. Do they have different sound qualities? What makes one better than the other one? Pernambuco bows are the highest quality bows because they give quicker response and better tone and projection compared to plasitc bows.
Pernambuco wood is cut from the center of the Brazilwood tree. It is increasingly harder to find new sources as much of the rainforests have been depleted.
Basically plastic bows are a must for beginners because wood bows are much to expensive and fragile to give to young kids. However; if you want to have a better and louder sound you will go to a wood bow or atleast a carbon fibre bow. Get a wooden bow ; leave the plastic to the little kids. It does make a difference to the feel of the bow.
A plastic bow probably has inferior hair which will affect the sound. Nobody would put good quality hair on a plastic bow. wood have less tendency to break--i guess and almost every one use wood... plastic is for toys right? i can't imagine a plastic bow! | 