Maker
Arcus
German carbon fiber bow maker
Arcus is a German carbon fiber bow maker founded by Bernd Müsing, who began researching bows in 1995 and first sold Arcus bows in 1999. Based in Würzburg, Germany, the company applies engineering and materials know-how from Müsing's earlier bicycle-frame manufacturing to bow making. Arcus bows use a signature very thin-walled, hollow carbon fiber stick with slightly reduced camber, making them notably lighter yet higher in tension than traditional wooden bows and optimized for modern strings. Every bow is made entirely by hand for violin, viola, cello, and double bass, with the current range organized into the T, S, P, M, and G series.
Models
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Arcus S-Series
Bow · Germany
The Arcus S-Series comprises Arcus's fastest-playing, very light hollow carbon fiber bows, developed from the earlier Concerto and Cadenza models that were highly successful with professional players. S-series bows deliver sheer power with a clear, brilliant, and full sound and are favored by soloists, and their low weight suits warmer or darker-sounding instruments. Offered for violin, viola, and cello in several performance grades.
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Arcus P-Series
Bow · Germany
The Arcus P-Series is a line of hollow carbon fiber violin bows designed for stronger-build instruments and heavy-gauge strings, where they provide added power and stability. Like the rest of the Arcus range, P-series bows use the company's thin-walled, hollow carbon fiber construction and are graded by performance class.
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Arcus T-Series
Bow · Germany
The Arcus T-Series is a line of hollow carbon fiber bows introduced in 2019 and among Arcus's best-selling models. Built on Arcus's signature thin-walled, hollow carbon fiber construction, T-series bows are described as truly universal and perfectly balanced: full, round, and warm but also brilliant and colorful, with elasticity that fits regular instruments and medium-gauge strings. The series is offered for violin, viola, and cello, with individual bows graded by performance class.
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Arcus M-Series
Bow · Germany
The Arcus M-Series is a line of hollow carbon fiber bows with somewhat more flexible sticks, giving a particularly warm and round tone and versatile all-around handling that suits lighter instruments. Arcus describes them as supporting each step of a player's technical development, making them well suited to orchestral players, students, and amateurs. Offered for violin, viola, and cello in several performance grades.
Categories
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Bows
Bows and bow styles for bowed string instruments.
Representative model
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Arcus S-Series
Bow · Germany
The Arcus S-Series comprises Arcus's fastest-playing, very light hollow carbon fiber bows, developed from the earlier Concerto and Cadenza models that were highly successful with professional players. S-series bows deliver sheer power with a clear, brilliant, and full sound and are favored by soloists, and their low weight suits warmer or darker-sounding instruments. Offered for violin, viola, and cello in several performance grades.