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I was watching a video about a Sartory viola bow made in 1915, which was not cheap (but what in the violin/viola/cello/bass industry is). Here's the question. How much is 'original' equipment on a bow like this? Hair? Nope. Frog? Maybe. Leather wrap? Doubt it? Windings? Doubt that too.
So is it just the stick and maybe the frog that is valued at £30,000?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all (in case I'm not back before then)
John
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Paper (And Polymer) Money Is Art
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@IntelJohnny -
Hey, how's it going? Happy Holidays to you, too!
You're probably on to something - any usable bow needs regular upkeep. Thinking of refurbishing an old bow stick?
Who BUYS the super expensive bows? Tool value vs Antique value?
Everyone (who has managed basic bowing skills) should 'try' out some bows that are way out of their price range (maybe not something worth more than your car, or house)! Even with my limited experience, it's helped me to see how a bow can make a huge difference. Compared to my playing skills & my other equipment, I wouldn't want my bow to be the one thing that keeps me from sounding better.
Back before I bought my Arcus, I watched a few videos that wanted to justify the cost of great handmade bows - one even mentioned a bow that sold for an exorbitant price of well over 6 figures! Jeez... when a tool becomes more expensive than any artist can reasonably recoup within a few years, it seems more like an Antique Collector's obsession.
When I felt ready for an upgrade I sought the pros & cons of an expensive bow (vs cheaper one). I listened to video comparisons, which are hard to trust, plus there's no way to tell how it feels to play with a bow in a video - then tried to do my own comparison within my budget (and a little above) & playing style/capability.
Even though I did NOT try any wood bows, I'm aware wood qualities can change with age & I'm sure can become magical in the hands of the right master craftsman.
Actually, I'd LOVE to have a great handmade wood bow, but I'd have to be able to afford a great handmade 6-string wood violin, FIRST! 
It's hard for 'me' to justify any bow that cost more than twice my violin. I'd still probably feel like I was walking on eggshells, scared the bow could get broken/damaged. ...don't think insurance would even help me feel better if I lost a 'one-of-a-kind' treasure!
I do deeply believe it's VERY important to help support Master Craftsmen, and Masters of Music - as much as possible! ...but I haven't won the lottery. 
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@ELCBK:
If the daVinci Stradivarius violin can go for $15,000,000, why can't a bow go for $35,000?
I was just astonished at the way the numbers for these bows - there were three of them - were being tossed around. And to add to the mystique, a comment or two about: "This bow was previously used by the principal violin of the <Insert Famous Orchestra Name Here>".
And I'm thinking: For just a stick? Maybe Sartory had a bad day when he made that bow. Maybe the luthier who made mine was having a great day. But is mine going to be $35,000? Probably not. (Thank goodness!)
Anyway I was probably being too analytical. Not a good trait when you're talking string instruments!
We're supposed to get our first snow fall tonight and tomorrow. Ugh!
John
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Paper (And Polymer) Money Is Art
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Bridgewood and Neizert's most expensive
Guivier's most expensive, currently.
If you can't find a dozen American shops with more expensive for sale, I'd be very surprised.
Bows can go up to 150k, probably more.
The price is due to the rareness of wood of the right age and quality, the name of the (dead) archetier and the psychology that says if I buy identical bows for 1k and 100k, I am never going to admit I prefer the 1k bow. There's also the knowledge or fear that the dead archetiers lived contemporaneously with superior wood**.
And some have gold, not silver, fittings.
Yehudi Menuhin's autobiog says he was given three identical Sartory (or better) gold-fitted bows as a preseent when he was 10-ish, and he gave one to an itinerant gypsy violinist in return for a bowl of wild strawberries. He expresses no emotion or purpose whatsoever in doind that. I suppose he imagines it was altruism, but it was stupidity on every level, I think.
Chat Geppetto says
- Dominique Peccatte: Worth $160,000
- François Voirin: Worth $40,000
- Joseph Henry: Worth $90,000
** In the case of Koa wood in Hawaii, the old trees have all been cut down: there is young plantation Koa, but it is not as firm as old koa, so arguably the old ukuleles will never exist again. I don't know if that applies yet to Pernambuco.
Andrew
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Some people collect bows, as investements which will put the price of very old bows made by top makers even higher. I myself am quite happy with my carbon fibre bow, dont know if I will ever be at the level to tell much difference in any of them, I do know the prices are crazy though, and also a lot of people must have a lot more money than I have. Like the bloke who just paid 6 million for a banana taped to a wall, then ate the banana just to show how much money he had. With that one though I didnt see the joke when there are so many homeless people. If I had 50 grand I would buy a harley trike, a panhead if possible, but thats just my opinion.
Cant beat a sunny day
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