[PLAYTECH] Round Bow vs. Square Bow Comparison

Did you know that there are different types of violin bows? There are actually two types of violin bows: round bows, which have a circular cross section of the stick, and square bows, which have an octagonal cross section. I actually played and compared the PLAYTECH ‘PVB100’ round violin bow with the ‘PVB300’ square violin bow being sold at Sound House right now.

About the Materials Used to Make Violin Bows

The material used for violin bows is called Fernambuco wood or Brazilian wood. Brazilian wood is often used for inexpensive bows, while Fernambuco wood is used for more expensive bows. Unlike other woods, Fernambuco has a very high bending strength, and bows made from Fernambuco have a hard time returning to their original shape after bending. Brazilian wood, on the other hand, has slightly less bending strength than Fernambuco and tends to warp back over time. However, the distribution of Fernambuco wood has been drastically reduced in recent years due to the Washington Convention, and Brazilian wood and carbon bows are attracting attention as alternatives. The PVB100 and PVB300 bows sold by the company are also made from Brazilian wood.

What is a Round Violin Bow?

A round bow is a bow with a circular stick cross-section. Sound House sells a round bow called the PVB100.

Playtech / PVB100 (4/4 size round violin bow)

What is a Square Violin Bow?

A square bow is a bow with an octagonal stick cross-section. The shape of the stick is octagonal, which increases the cross-sectional area compared to a round bow, making it stronger and slightly harder. We sell a square bow called the PVB300.

Playtech / PVB300 (violin bow, 4/4 size, square bow)

Actual Comparison between Round and Square Bows

I have explained various aspects of round and square bows above, but I thought it would be better to compare the actual Playtech PVB100 round violin bow and PVB300 square bow, which we actually sell at Sound House. The weight, grain and other individual differences between the two bows are shown in the table below.

● The individual pieces look like this. The top is a PVB100 (round bow) and the bottom is a PVB300 (square bow).

● The overall image is shown here!

● The weight of the PVB100 (round bow) and the PVB300 (square bow) is 59.4g and 62.6g.
The round bow is lighter!

PVB100 (round bow)

PVB300 (square bow)

● Impressions from Actually Holding the Round Bow (PVB100)

I held the PVB100 round bow first and found it to be very easy to hold and easy to transfer strings, partly because it is lightweight at 59.4g. The bow I am currently using as my main bow is a round bow, and I felt that I would be able to hold it easily with the same sensation. The lightness of the bow means that it can be held for long periods of time without tiring.

● Impressions from Actually Holding the Square Bow (PVB300)

Next, I held the PVB300 (square bow), which weighs 62.6 g. At first I thought it felt a little heavy, but when I put it on the instrument and played it, I could feel it sticking to the strings, which made it easy to play, and I could also play the notes without bouncing, although it was just a feeling!

● General Comments after Holding the Round Bow and Square Bow

After comparing the two bows, I felt that neither was better than the other and had its good and bad points. I thought the round bow was lightweight and could be used for long playing sessions and pieces with a lot of string transfers, but I felt that the square bow, with its better stability, was the best choice when playing over the strings. After all, it is probably best to choose a bow according to the player's preference. Incidentally, if I had to choose one of the two bows I compared, I felt that the round bow was easier to play.

Introduction of Bows from Other Bow Makers

If you have just started playing, you may want to try a square bow because your bow is round,’ or you may want to buy a PLAYTECH PVB300 (square) because you have a square bow. Or, if you have a square bow and want to try a round bow, you can choose the PVB100 (round).

Playtech / PVB100 (4/4 size round violin bow)

Playtech / PVB300 (4/4 size square violin bow)

There are many types of bows produced by both national and international manufacturers. Please try out the various bows on this occasion!

Playwood / ARCO Violin Bow ARCO-VN

Sugito / Stan-A 4/4 Violin Bow

Yamaha / CBB-101 Violin Bow, 4/4 Size

Georg Edler / Carbon Bow for Violin 4/4

Useful information on the violin, as presented in Tora no Maki!

Tora no Maki contains useful information on playing the violin, such as precautions to take with your violin among other things to keep in mind! Tora no Maki has a section containing useful information for beginners on subjects like names of the various parts of the violin, how to change the strings and how to hold the violin. Please try reading through it!

⇒ Guide to Playing Stringed Instruments

How was it? We hope this blog has helped you understand the difference between round and square violin bows. We also sell a wide range of other stringed instruments in our Playtech series, including violins, violas, and cellos. Please take a look!