Bows adventure

[Sakura]

While @Luzifer is fiddling with engine enhancement, I was working on upgrading my fiddle bow to something better. So last week I went to a violin dealer event and requested violin bows. They gave me six bows to try but three of them attracted my attention. I asked for a short trial for these 3 so I could bring them home with me. Surprisingly they agreed and didn't even ask for my ID for trialing these bows that worth close to a million dollar. They knew me for around 7 years and I was at their academy for like a couple of years. Maybe that is why.

Photo of the event at the dealer. These instruments worth around hundreds of millions.



And the bows I got to trial at my home:



And these two bows I'm interested to get. I can only buy one so either top or bottom. Photos of the frog (the handle of the bow):


The top has a frog and parts made of silver and ebony and cost around $250k. The bottom one has a frog made of gold and tortoiseshell and cost about $120k.

The more expensive one is a legendary item from 1850s meaning it is one of the best, but the maker made like 700 of them so you can still find a few for sale at reputed dealer.

The less expensive one is a totally rare piece from 1930s because of its gold and tortoiseshell (no longer made now due to regulation).

The more expensive one plays 1.5 better than the other, but the price is essentially twice more expensive...

What do you think I should get?

 

[Luzifer]

I can't give a straight answer but things to ponder about.

Is the price worrisome or is it FU money?

Will you really enjoy to play with the more expensive one?

Do you really need either bow at these prices?

What if it breaks, or somehow it gets lost or stolen?

 

[Sakura]

Very good things to question about.

Is the price worrisome or is it FU money?
I can afford either one, but obviously, as an amateur, the cheaper one feels more comfortable. Comfortable in terms of the bank account.

Will you really enjoy playing the more expensive one?
The more expensive one is a legendary item, meaning it is very liquid. However, due to the high price, it has a smaller pool of potential buyers.

Do you really need either bow at these prices?
Nope. But I enjoy having them because they enhance my playing and make my violin sound like a Stradivari. It is a luxury. Just like having a Lambo.

What if it breaks, or somehow gets lost or stolen?
I will probably need to insure the more expensive one. As for the cheaper one, I can accept the risk.

I'm checking with the dealer about the documents because the cheaper one has tortoiseshell, which is a highly regulated material under the Washington Convention. I will not be able to sell it outside Japan without a permit. Probably only around 1 percent of bows in the world have tortoiseshell. Most are usually kept as heirlooms by musicians. So there is that. The expensive one just ticks everything, but it's expensive.

 

[Luzifer]

...And I thought I was spending excessively( All in at around +-4K) on the Pocher model!

Didn't you want to save up for that special violin (Stradivarius?) instead?

 

[Sakura]

...And I thought I was spending excessively( All in at around +-4K) on the Pocher model!

Didn't you want to save up for that special violin (Stradivarius?) instead?

Heheh, 4K is crazy for a model car, but if you enjoy looking at it every day and can use it during car events, then it's all worth it

After I get the Strad, I will still need a good bow to bring out the sound, so I might as well buy the bow first.

A Strad is around 20 million at the moment. Even the cheapest one, which sounded terrible, recently went for 5 million. Prices are wild right now because of tariffs and wars.

 

[Luzifer]

The model only needs 2 decals and to check if I missed anything so I did a test to see if I would bring it to the car show. It fits on the dash but it's so big it looks awkward. I brought my 1:12 scale and I just don't know why many seem to love it!

 

[Sakura]

The model only needs 2 decals and to check if I missed anything so I did a test to see if I would bring it to the car show. It fits on the dash but it's so big it looks awkward. I brought my 1:12 scale and I just don't know why many seem to love it!

It should fit on your passenger seat. Or maybe build a little ledge so it can sit and visible next to rear window. Kids outside would go nuts Adults too

 

[Sakura]

I made an offer on the legendary and expensive one, but have not heard back yet since they were closed yesterday. I will be returning the bows this afternoon, so I will meet them in person then. I offered about 17 percent below their asking price, which I think is reasonable. Most people seem to negotiate around 15 percent with instrument dealers. If they do not accept, oh well, I will keep looking.

Here are the pics. I kept the bows in a bow case while traveling on the Shinkansen. Nobody suspected I was carrying close to a million dollars worth of gear

 

[Sakura]

The dealer responded and countered with a 9% discount. In the end, I traded in my current bow and got about 10% off. I decided to pull the trigger since it’s exceptionally rare, in excellent condition, and one of only around 50 known pieces in the world with original parts. This is like Stradivarius violin but for a bow.

I’ll need to move some assets and complete the transaction next week. The order is now locked in

Pretty excited yet anxious.

 

[Luzifer]

Congratulation on the new purchase. Will you use it regularly or prefer to have it as a display item?

 

[Sakura]

Congratulation on the new purchase. Will you use it regularly or prefer to have it as a display item?

Thanks! I will use it regularly, of course It’s a violin bow. It is museum quality for its history but I'm certain it still plays even better than when it was new. The wood has aged beautifully over 175 years, becoming harder and vibrates better (older wood has smaller cell walls and lower moisture content). This aging produces rich overtone sounds, like natural harmonics. Recording studio would love this sound quality. I’m going to call it my elder magic wand.

 

[Sakura]

I had enough cash so wired it to them yesterday and picked up the bow today. It's a done deal Still in the clouds so can't describe how I feel. It's a mixed feeling being able to acquire a very rare item but feeling lighter in pocket at the same time. I suppose it's a once in a lifetime kind of deal as dealer was inclined to sell because tariffs will be in effect next month.

 

[Luzifer]

Very nice, are you going to have a glass display case when not in use? I know you'll be playing with it all weekend!

Who's the lady?

 

[Sakura]

Very nice, are you going to have a glass display case when not in use? I know you'll be playing with it all weekend!

Who's the lady?

I played my violin with the new bow so much yesterday that my fingers are actually starting to hurt. I held back some of my "Godly" bowing techniques during the trial because I did not want to risk nicking the thing.

It is now resting comfortably in my French made LV violin case. Seems like a fitting home for a French bow.

The lady in the photo is the saleswoman. I have known her for about seven years. I asked for a selfie since she was really polite and even gave me a discount. Had to mark the moment somehow, LOL.

 

[REKIII]

This whole thing is so cool, not so much for what the bow is, but because it makes you so happy and excited. Congrats!

Do you think us lowly non-pro violinists could tell the difference if you played the identical tune with this bow vs another?

 

[Sakura]

This whole thing is so cool, not so much for what the bow is, but because it makes you so happy and excited. Congrats!

Do you think us lowly non-pro violinists could tell the difference if you played the identical tune with this bow vs another?

Thanks! Yes, absolutely different in terms of tonal quality and projection (loudness). I'm 100% certain that anyone with a normal hearing can tell the difference. No need to be a musician or violinist.

I suppose It's like using a short shifter, a racing seat, and a tune to improve the engine response. Easier to control and the engine gives out more performance. Feels like cheating with this bow but I need all the help I can get!

 

[REKIII]

OK, that is super cool. I mean, I'd be completely supportive of you just wanting it because it is cool and unique, but if it truly makes a difference, then.....even better!! Again, congrats.