Classic Arcus Bows
Still made in the original factory in Austria
To purchase or arrange a trial, please call 303-499-6165
Cost for shipping both directions is $35
Shipping/trial cost applies toward purchase
You can pay by phone or click here to pay for trial online
Cost for shipping both directions is $35
Shipping/trial cost applies toward purchase
You can pay by phone or click here to pay for trial online
The S-, M-, and P- Series bows sold elsewhere are not the Original Arcus line
- In our opinion they are a sub-standard product
- Our customers who try both tell us they agree
- Click here for more about the Arcus Story
Cadenza Gold
This bow for violin has become very scarce! But I have one in stock!
Violin: $5400 · Viola: $5521 · Cello: $5643
This bow for violin has become very scarce! But I have one in stock!
Violin: $5400 · Viola: $5521 · Cello: $5643
Cadenza Silver
Violin: $3680 · Viola: $3807 · Cello: $3920
Violin: $3680 · Viola: $3807 · Cello: $3920
Concerto
Violin: $2450 · Viola: $2570 · Cello: $2700
Violin: $2450 · Viola: $2570 · Cello: $2700
Sinfonia
Violin: $1780 · Viola: $1845 · Cello: $1960
Violin: $1780 · Viola: $1845 · Cello: $1960
Sonata
Violin: $1105 · Viola: $1170 · Cello $1224
Violin: $1105 · Viola: $1170 · Cello $1224
About Arcus
Arcus: a new concept in bow technology
The Models
Surprising discovery regarding round versus octagonal
- A paradigm shift in the world of bows
- Thin-walled hollow carbon fiber shaft
- Not copies of Pernambuco bows
- Extremely light
- High resiliency (stiffness) but with very low weight
- More maneuverable than their heavier pernambuco counterpart
- Harder to bottom out due to design characteristics
- Often described as giving a big core sound
- Graded at the factory based on the resonance quality of the sticks
The Models
- Cadenza is intended for professional soloists and offers the most power, modulation, agility and responsiveness
- Concerto is intended for professional orchestral players
- Sinfonia will fulfill the needs of most amateur players
- Sonata is intended for students, but instead we recommend our $795 Custom CodaBow
Surprising discovery regarding round versus octagonal
- Round tend to be more focused and clear with a steady calm character
- Octagonal tends toward a broader, richer sound, and is a bit more jumpy, bouncing more easily and having more of a mind of its own
A Bit Of The Technical
Arcus Tips and Hints
☞ You must set your other bows aside and use the Arcus bow exclusively three days ☜
First Use
Arcus bows uniquely combine very low weight with high resiliency. This results in a somewhat different feel, and it normally takes three days to get completely used to. We strongly recommend playing with the Arcus bow exclusively during that period, because going back and forth with the old bow may slow down the learning process significantly. After this period there is absolutely no problem alternating with traditional bows.
During the first few days some musicians find playing an Arcus bow tiring, and they believe that it has to do with "missing" the weight of the bow, when in fact it is simply that the bow hand has not yet un-learned certain compensations and corrections that are not required when using an Arcus bow. After a time the hand learns to relax and to skip unnecessary maneuvers.
For off-string bowings the recommendation is to keep the bow closer to the strings and use a little more movement. This way the strokes become very precise and the tone contains a lot of sound and very little noise.
You may find that spiccato with your Arcus bow is performed closer to the frog than you are used to.
For a strong, robust sound you may play closer to the bridge than with other bows, but your tone will neither become rough nor will it break.
Tension
The curvature or camber of Arcus bows is significantly shallower than that of wooden bows. In a completely relaxed state you will see a distance of several millimeters between the hair and the stick. For a start you may tighten the bow in a similar way to what you are used to, but note that even under light tension the stick will not bottom out. Try more or less tension to see how it works. Arcus bows sometimes need fewer turns of the screw than you are used to in order to get to optimum playing tension, and with quarter turns you will feel significant changes in the playing characteristics. Because of the strong stick, the bow moves very steadily on the strings. The stick will not bend sideways even under high pressure, and there will be no unintended movements or tremble on the fast bowings. The unique light weight allows for the most virtuoso and comfortable playing.
Arcus bows uniquely combine very low weight with high resiliency. This results in a somewhat different feel, and it normally takes three days to get completely used to. We strongly recommend playing with the Arcus bow exclusively during that period, because going back and forth with the old bow may slow down the learning process significantly. After this period there is absolutely no problem alternating with traditional bows.
During the first few days some musicians find playing an Arcus bow tiring, and they believe that it has to do with "missing" the weight of the bow, when in fact it is simply that the bow hand has not yet un-learned certain compensations and corrections that are not required when using an Arcus bow. After a time the hand learns to relax and to skip unnecessary maneuvers.
For off-string bowings the recommendation is to keep the bow closer to the strings and use a little more movement. This way the strokes become very precise and the tone contains a lot of sound and very little noise.
You may find that spiccato with your Arcus bow is performed closer to the frog than you are used to.
For a strong, robust sound you may play closer to the bridge than with other bows, but your tone will neither become rough nor will it break.
Tension
The curvature or camber of Arcus bows is significantly shallower than that of wooden bows. In a completely relaxed state you will see a distance of several millimeters between the hair and the stick. For a start you may tighten the bow in a similar way to what you are used to, but note that even under light tension the stick will not bottom out. Try more or less tension to see how it works. Arcus bows sometimes need fewer turns of the screw than you are used to in order to get to optimum playing tension, and with quarter turns you will feel significant changes in the playing characteristics. Because of the strong stick, the bow moves very steadily on the strings. The stick will not bend sideways even under high pressure, and there will be no unintended movements or tremble on the fast bowings. The unique light weight allows for the most virtuoso and comfortable playing.
Players
Ricardo Cyncynates, Assistant Concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC has been using his Original Austrian-made Arcus bow for several years. Here's what he has to say: "I have owned a number of very fine French and English bows and none have had the outstanding playing and sound characteristics of the Arcus bow. It is almost impossible to find a bow with which to play a delicate and light piece and a heavy and loud one with the same easy refinement and comfort as with my Arcus bow. The quality of sound is wonderful and leaves nothing to be desired."
Lynn Harrell sent a video birthday greeting to Orlando Cole on the occasion of his teacher's 100th birthday. Lynn performs a little bit of Chopin using his Original Austrian-made Arcus bow. If you fast forward to the 4:40 mark, he raves about his "new bow" and shows off a little of it's versatility.
Lynn Harrell sent a video birthday greeting to Orlando Cole on the occasion of his teacher's 100th birthday. Lynn performs a little bit of Chopin using his Original Austrian-made Arcus bow. If you fast forward to the 4:40 mark, he raves about his "new bow" and shows off a little of it's versatility.
To arrange a trial, please call 303-499-6165