Your bow is the only part of your rig you touch every second you play, yet most of us shop for one like we’re guessing in the dark. We sit in a room, try ten options, get overwhelmed by “better” and “worse,” and somehow leave with more confusion than we started with. That’s why we brought on Evan Orman, a working cellist who became a full-time bowmaker and now spends his days repairing, restoring, and building bows for real players.
We talk through Evan’s path from serious conservatory training to realizing performance wasn’t the only lane that could keep him close to music. He explains what drew him into bow making, why the craft is so hard to learn without a formal school, and how the Oberlin bow workshop became a turning point. Then we get concrete: pernambuco selection, cambering, and why the frog and adjuster can be the majority of the work. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re paying for when you buy a bow, this clears it up fast. From there we zoom out to the buying decision. Evan breaks down modern bows versus antique bows, the placebo and prestige “wow effect,” and the most reliable tests for feel and performance, especially that smooth engagement from end to end. Joel shares a personal story of finally finding a bow that delivers both sound and athletic control and realizing the limitation wasn’t always the player.
If bow shopping has you stuck, this conversation will help you move forward with better questions and calmer ears. Subscribe, share with a string player who’s hunting for a bow, and leave a review so more musicians can find the show.
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