Top End Bow-hran Stick

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Bow-hran Stick (fiddle)

Top-end style bodhran tippers handcrafted from genuine fiddle bows.

Handcrafted from genuine fiddle bows.
No two are alike. Your item may differ from photo.
Special Offer:
Order 2 or more Bow-hran Sticks, get 25% Off!

Why shop here?

Bow-hran Stick

These rustic top-end style bodhran tippers are handcrafted from genuine fiddle bows. Most of the bows are acquired from two preeminent violin shops in Saint Louis, Missouri.

One shop is a third-generation family-owned business accustomed to dealing in old master instruments including those of Stradivari, Guarnari and Amati. This is where my daughter (who began Suzuki violin several years ago but now takes piano) and I originally acquired our violins. The other shop is owned by my old friend Geoff Seitz. (It was Geoff, a violin maker and old-time fiddle champ, who suggested to me at a contra dance over twenty years ago that I try playing bones with two hands instead of just one.)

How the Bows Are Acquired
I had been thinking about making violin bow tippers for the past year or two. Then one day while my daughter and I were at the violin shop checking on her new bow, I asked if they had any old worn out violin bows they didn't want. The next thing I knew we where downstairs in the basement surrounded by a veritable graveyard of ancient and venerable fiddle bows. First one bow was carefully selected. Then another bow. And then another and another...

Soon I was walking up the stairs with an armful of raw material. With horsehair flying every which way, Erica and I headed to her weekly Suzuki violin lesson. When we got home I stored the bows in my basement workshop. A few months later I began experimenting. That was several years ago and I have continued to make bow sticks ever since.

Bow-hran Stick Construction
There ain't nothing fancy about a Bow-hran Stick. It is just a hunk of fiddle bow with the ends chopped off.

Sure, I sand the ends then touch 'em up with a buffer and tripoli polishing compound. But that is about the extent of it. And since the sticks come from a bow, none are perfectly straight. Some players consider this an advantage. Others would call it a defect. So other than the fact each Bow-hran Stick is crafted from a bow acquired from a premier violin shop that caters to one of the world's leading symphony orchestras, there is nothing special about these drum sticks. Except maybe the name. I think Bow-hran Stick is simple, descriptive and kinda cool. The idea came from my 11-year-old son, Zak.

Strong Lightweight Wood: Excellent for Top-end Playing
Considering the source, some of the bows are probably brazilwood or pernumbuco. These two woods, which come from the same tree, are prized by bow makers for its superior strength and light weight.

But I cannot positively identify which wood is which. And since both shops also serve novice players like myself with excellent, yet economically priced instruments, I cannot guarantee whether or not your stick is another wood altogether. Having said that, in light of the reputation of the violin shops, we can safely assume each stick is at worst, a strong lightweight wood. And that is the perfect choice for top-end playing.

Four Lengths

The sticks are now available in four lengths: seven, eight, nine and ten inches. Which length is best for you? I consider myself a novice top-end player, but I understand that 7" sticks work best for smaller drums (12" diameter), while 9" sticks work best for larger drums (16" to 18" diameter). I will be happy to make a Bow-hran Stick in any custom length you want at no extra charge. Just let me know what length you want. Allow 2 to 4 weeks to ship.

Four Styles:
You can choose from four styles: Grip, Grip w/coil, Plain, and Slim & Curvy. These styles reflect the nature of a fiddle bow.

Grip

Grip sticks are from bows with grip material near the end. The grips are leather, heavy paper or a vinyl-like material. In any case, the grip material makes these sticks a little heavier at the grip end. Most are from vintage bows that reveal a lifetime of wear and character. Some grips reinforced with polyurethane finish. Supply is extremely limited.

Grip w/coil

Grip w/coil sticks are from bows that sport a coil wrapping of wire or plastic. Like the grip sticks above, these sticks offer you a little more weight at the grip end. And like the sticks above, most are vintage bows that have been around the block a few times. So most of the grips and coils are reinforced with polyurethane finish. Supply is extremely limited.

Plain

Plain sticks are from bows with no grip material at the end of the bow. Some of the plain sticks are cut from a segment near the middle of the bow - which is a smidge smaller in diameter and slightly more curved.

Slim & Curvy
Slim & Curvy sticks are the lightest in weight. They have no grip material and come from a segment near the tip end of the bow.

Is a Bow-hran Stick Right for You?
These lightweight violin bow tippers work fine for top-end playing. But if your drum has a thick rubbery skin like my unique Albert Alfonso does, then you will probably need a heavier stick. And if you are thinking of trying a violin or cello Bow-hran Stick for Kerry style playing, then I think its light weight might leave you disappointed.

Here's good news if you want a big hefty Bow-hran Stick
The 9" tipper I recently made from a double bass bow seems to work well for Kerry style playing on my Alfonso. Yes, at 80% the weight of my 9" ebony "Mark Stone style" tipper, the double bass bow tipper is substantial - and kind of cool. So I hope to have double bass Bow-hran Sticks in production as soon as I get an ample supply of bows.

Low Price
Each handcrafted Bow-hran Stick is a paltry $7.97 to $14.97. So go ahead and order a spare or two.

Special Offer
while supplies last...

Order 2 or more Bow-hran Sticks, get 25% Off!
Watch for discount in shopping cart.

Item#	Item Name	Our Price	Qty	Add
100-600-F7G	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 7" Grip	$14.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F7CG	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 7" Grip w/coil	$14.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F7P	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 7" Plain	$11.97
100-600-F7SC	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 7" Slim & Curvy	$7.97
100-600-F8G	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 8" Grip	$14.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F8CG	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 8" Grip w/coil	$14.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F8P	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 8" Plain	$11.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F8SC	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 8" Slim & Curvy	$7.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F9G	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 9" Grip	$14.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F9CG	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 9" Grip w/coil	$14.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F9P	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 9" Plain	$11.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F9SC	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 9" Slim & Curvy	$7.97
100-600-F10G	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 10" Grip	$14.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F10CG	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 10" Grip w/coil	$14.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F10P	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 10" Plain	$11.97	(Out of Stock)
100-600-F10SC	Bow-hran Stick (fiddle), 10" Slim & Curvy	$7.97	(Out of Stock)
Check the items you wish to purchase, then click

Features:

Genuine Old Fiddle Bow: A cool stick for the new millennium.
Lightweight and sturdy: The perfect combination for top-end playing.
Original Stain: The natural look for a natural drummer.
Buffed and Polished: Professional look and feel.
Double O-rings: Provides secure non-slip grip.
Four Lengths to Choose From: Pick the length that works best for you.
Four Styles to Choose From: Pick the style that works best for you.
Handcrafted: Made one-at-a-time, the old fashioned way.
Budget Priced: Grab a handful without breaking the bank.

Technical Specs

Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--

Length: 7, 8, 9 or 10 inches

Diameter: 1/4" to 3/8"

Weight: .15 oz to .65 oz

Composition: Durable Old Fiddle Bow Hardwood

Wood: Varies, sometimes brazilwood or pernumbuco

Camber (arc): Natural fiddle bow curve

Color: Original stain. Some stains partially removed from buffing and polish.

Finish: Buffed and polished w/tripoli compound

Grip Support: Two green buna-n rubber o-rings

Four styles: 1. Grip, 2. Grip w/coil, 3. Plain, 4. Slim & Curvy

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