Best Viola Bows of 2026
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Viola bows are an essential component of a violist's arsenal. They come in various styles, materials, and sizes, and can greatly affect the tone and projection of the instrument. Some of the most popular materials used in viola bows are Pernambuco wood, carbon fiber, and synthetic materials. Pernambuco wood is the traditional material used in high-end bows, while carbon fiber and synthetic materials are more affordable and durable options. Viola bows also vary in weight, balance, and flexibility, allowing players to choose a bow that suits their playing style and preferences. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, a good quality viola bow is a worthwhile investment that will enhance your playing experience.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Viola Bows
M MI & VI AB-510 Brazilwood Viola Bow
M MI & VI Viola Bow is crafted with precision by professional luthiers using authentic Mongolian horsehair, offering a smooth polished sound that produces warm overtones when played. The natural bounce of the bow stick provides a comfortable playing experience with a well-balanced weight distribution. Made with old-world techniques, this bow follows the standards of past bowmasters, ensuring quality. Its versatility makes it suitable for all viola makes and models, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and professionals. Plus, it comes with a 90-day no-hassle return warranty from MIVI Music.
MI&VI Mongolian Horse Hair for Violin and Viola Bows 29.5"
The MI&VI Violin Viola Hair offers high-quality Mongolian horsehair that ensures excellent performance for your violin or viola bow. This horsehair is carefully prepared and ready for mounting, saving you time and effort in setup. The natural white color is unbleached, maintaining the hair's original texture and strength for better grip on the strings. Measuring 29.5 inches, it is the perfect length to fit most violin and viola bows. With these features, you get reliable and easy-to-use horsehair that enhances your playing experience.
ModouString Brazilwood 4/4 Viola Bow
The ModouString Viola Bow is crafted from premium brazilwood, giving you excellent flexibility and balance for smooth, professional playing. Its silver winding not only adds a stylish touch but also helps you maintain a steady grip, improving your control during practice or performance. The leather grip offers comfort, so your hand won’t tire even during long sessions, while the ebony frog with mother-of-pearl inlays provides a secure hold and elegant look. Strung with natural white horsehair, this bow ensures great rosin grip and clear, rich sound with every stroke, making it a reliable choice for both students and advanced players.
SKY Brazilwood Viola Bow
The SKY Viola Bow is an excellent choice for beginners. Its round stick design is handcrafted with a smooth oil varnish, ensuring a comfortable grip during practice. Weighing in at a lightweight build, this bow is easy to carry, making it convenient for travel or lessons. Its sturdy construction provides stability, allowing you to produce a bright sound while remaining gentle on your fingers. With its straight and well-balanced design, you can enjoy a seamless playing experience, helping you focus on developing your skills.
VINGOBOW Brazilwood Viola Bow 74.5cm
The VINGOBOW Viola Bow offers several features designed to improve your playing experience. It comes with a free cushioned bow cover that helps reduce thumb tension and fatigue, allowing you to hold the bow comfortably and play longer. The bow stick is made from Brazilwood that has been air-dried for over 10 years, giving it strong resilience and a rich, clear tone for sustained sound quality. The white horsehair is carefully chosen from Mongolian horses and is strong yet responsive, making it easy to apply rosin and produce vibrant overtones. Finally, the ebony frog is stylish and improves hair alignment, making it comfortable to use during extended performances.
VINGOBOW Full Size Carbon Fiber Viola Bow
The VINGOBOW Full Size Carbon Fiber Viola Bow features black Mongolian horsehair, quality carbon fiber stick, advanced performance, perfect balance point, and is carefully handmade by an experienced bow-maker. It is recommended for advanced players and delivers a loud and wild tone with easy playability.
D Z Strad viola bow Model 205
D Z Strad Model 205 is a handmade Viola Bow suitable for 14"-17" Violas. Crafted with genuine Grade AA Horse Hair, it offers quick response and resiliency. The traditional Frog made from Premium Ebony ensures balanced performance. This bow is meticulously handmade, guaranteeing quality and precision in every detail. Enjoy smooth bowing and enhanced playability with D Z Strad Model 205.
VINGOBOW 120M Hybrid Carbon Fiber Viola Bow
The VINGOBOW Hybrid Viola Bow offers a unique blend of strength and flexibility thanks to its carbon fiber core wrapped in wood skin, giving you a bow that feels like wood but is even stronger. This design helps produce smooth and fast sound waves, enhancing your playing experience. The bow features an elegant ebony frog with natural wood grain and classic Parisian eye details, along with a comfortable genuine cow leather grip, making it both stylish and practical. Weighing about 70 grams and measuring 74.5 cm, it has an expertly adjusted balance point, making it easier for you to control and play comfortably. Plus, premium natural horsehair ensures durability and better rosin grip for consistent performance.
MI&VI AB-530 Brazilwood Viola Bow
The MI&VI Brazilwood Viola Bow offers a smooth, polished sound thanks to its hand-carved design and real Mongolian horsehair, which helps you produce warm, rich tones once rosined. Its natural bounce comes from carefully selected materials and expert craftsmanship, giving you balanced weight and a comfortable playing experience. Crafted using traditional bow-making techniques, this bow reflects the skill of old-world artisans, ensuring quality and durability. Plus, its lightweight and well-rounded design makes it a great fit for all violas, whether you're a beginner or a professional player looking for a reliable bow.
Vio Music Carbon Fiber Viola Bow
The Vio Music Viola Bow offers a reliable playing experience with its high-quality carbon fiber construction, giving you durability and strength without extra weight. The ebony frog enhances grip and control, making it easier for you to handle the bow during performances. With its natural white hair, you get a smooth and consistent sound that helps improve your tone quality. Plus, the bow is well balanced, which means you can play comfortably for longer periods without feeling strain. Overall, the Vio Music Viola Bow is designed to support your playing with quality materials and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there a difference between a viola bow and a violin bow?
Yes, there is a difference between a viola bow and a violin bow. Viola bows are about 10 grams heavier than violin bows, which is necessary to accommodate the heavier strings of the viola. Playing with the wrong bow can potentially damage the instrument.
2. What is the best material for a viola bow?
The best materials for a viola bow are often carbon fiber or high-quality hardwoods like Pernambuco. Cheaper bows made of materials like Brazilwood may lack the nuanced tonal and playing qualities of a good Pernambuco viola bow.
3. Why is viola harder than violin?
The viola is considered harder to play compared to the violin due to its larger size, lower sound, and the need for more pressure to produce sound. The violin has a faster response and is generally easier to find solo parts for.
4. Why choose viola over violin?
One reason to choose the viola over the violin is the lower, more resonant sound profile that appeals to many musicians. If you prefer the lower, richer, and more resonant sounds and are not drawn to play the cello or bass, the viola may be the ideal string instrument for you.
5. How long does a viola bow last?
The lifespan of a viola bow varies depending on factors such as playing style and climate. Generally, it is recommended to rehair a viola bow every 6 to 12 months. However, there is no definitive answer, and it ultimately depends on individual circumstances.
6. Are viola bows bigger than violin bows?
Yes, viola bows are bigger and heavier than violin bows. The viola bow is longer, slimmer, and approximately 10 grams heavier than the violin bow. This difference in size and weight is necessary to produce a clear sound on the heavier strings of the viola.
7. Is viola more expensive than violin?
In general, violas tend to be more expensive than violins within the same quality range. The larger size of the viola contributes to its slightly higher cost. Additionally, the demand for violas is lower compared to violins, which can also affect the pricing.
8. How often should you rehair a viola bow?
The frequency of rehairing a viola bow depends on factors like playing frequency and personal preference. Many professionals and dedicated students who play and practice daily have their bows rehaired every 3 to 6 months to preserve the playing characteristics, condition, and value of the bow.
9. What size viola bow do I need?
The size of the viola bow you need depends on the size of your viola. For a 15”-16.5” viola, a 4/4 (full-size) bow should be purchased. For a 13”-14” viola, a ¾ bow is recommended. A ½ bow is suitable for a 12” viola, and a ¼ bow is appropriate for an 11” viola.
10. What are the different types of viola bows?
Some different types of viola bows include the CodaBow Joule Viola Bow, CodaBow Luma Viola Bow, and Arcus Viola Bows. These bows offer various features and qualities to suit different player preferences.
During our viola bow research, we found 24 viola bow products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,910 customer reviews through our big data system to write the viola bows list. We found that most customers choose viola bows with an average price of $62.19.
The viola bows are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of viola bows, including M MI & VI, MI&VI, ModouString, Sky, VINGOBOW. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 45 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.
Joseph Hubbard is a music producer and runs a musical instrument store in Chicago. Joseph is happy to help others choose the instrument that best suits their needs. He loves everything related to music and often publishes articles related to music on key websites.