My bow's eyelet stripped right before I was scheduled to do a recording session and it was impossible to tighten the hairs to play. I was desperate to find a quick repair and I am so grateful I found John. He was able to see me the same day and rehaired and repaired my bow in under an hour. He helped me pick out a second bow so I'd have a backup for future emergencies and I'm loving playing with this new bow. John was very kind and his passion for bow making was heartwarming, I left the shop in such a good mood. Also, he demonstrated some of his bows for me and John absolutely shreds on the violin, overall it was a really fun experience, I will definitely be going back. read more

As a professional violinist, I highly recommend John's high quality rehair and bow repair work. John has always provided me with outstanding rehairs since I moved back to the Bay. Most recently, he accommodated me with a quick same day double rehair, during which he also helped me identify and reinforce a weak spot on my bow, and also made a quick fix to my bow weighting, which has made playing more enjoyable again. He is communicative, kind, and very knowledgeable to work with. Many thanks to John! A fun anecdote: I sold a bow that he had rehaired almost two years prior, and the dealer thought it was recently rehaired (it was my primary bow, so I had decent mileage with it)! read more

As a professional violinist, I couldn't be happier with my John Greenwood violin bow. The craftsmanship is exceptional and the playability is truly outstanding. What impressed me most is the sound - incredibly powerful, rich, and projecting with great depth and clarity. It brings out the best qualities of my instrument. A beautifully made bow by a truly talented maker. Highly recommended read more

John does excellent, 1 hour bow rehairs which stand the test of time against the demands of a busy musician. John's own bows are a further testament to his professionalism and expertise- I recently purchased one of his violin bows and couldn't be happier! I highly recommend his bows and his services- he is friendly, helpful, and a master of his craft. Thank you, John! read more

Super nice passionate dude! Super responsive and fast. Was very helpful with questions and also just you could tell he was passionate about what he does. read more

I'm so glad I found John Greenwood. I could not have had a more successful and pleasant experience. I have a very old and valuable French bow that was quite crooked at the tip. John straightened it perfectly, and the rehairing plays beautifully. All at a very reasonable price, and clearly explained ahead of time. Five stars and many thanks, John. read more

My son's bow needed a re-hair. We didn't have a backup bow, and he's currently working hard on his college audition repertoire, so he didn't want to be without his bow. John responded to my inquiry promptly, and offered a 1 hour appointment at a time convenient to me. He also welcomed me to watch him work, which was an added treat (his shop is lovely and cozy filled with musical instruments and memorabilia). We chatted while he performed the rehair (John is super friendly and informative). That night when my son tried the bow he immediately felt the improvements which we could also all hear. Highly recommend! read more

John was very accommodating to my schedule and fixed my cello bow while I waited in his beautiful workshop. The bow was warped to the left, but he was able to fix it within an hour! To John: I really enjoyed talking with you. I learned so much, and you're such a warm person! I hope to be back soon! read more

Freelancer from LA here. I've advanced in some professional orchestra auditions and have a DMA from USC. I drove to his shop from LA last week and bought a violin bow, and I can't recommend him highly enough. He has a well-earned reputation among professionals (a friend I knew from Juilliard recommended him to me). I came in particular to get a bow that would be easier to control than my old bow that felt like a noodle (too soft and flexible, and crooked stick). My old bow was also causing significant pain in my thumb when playing for long periods of time. I've tried a lot of bows in my career and John Greenwood's bows are distinctive for their feeling of stability and quick response. If you're sick of mashing the stick into the string every time you want to play forte, get a Greenwood bow. If you're sick of sloppy action when you need control over spiccato strokes in orchestra excerpts, get a Greenwood bow. If you're sick of sacrificing 20% of the sound your violin is capable of producing, he'll have a bow that works for your instrument. Beyond the distinctive qualities his bows all share, his bows come in many different weights, stiffnesses, etc to customize to each player. I tried several bows before finding one that worked best for my violin. After a few days of playing, I couldn't be happier. It's also very physically comfortable to play - pain from the old bow has already abated. Compared to other bows on the market at the professional level, I think his bows offer superior quality at a great price. Check him out! read more

Punctual, accommodating, and overall just a pleasant guy to chat with! I dropped off my bow to be rehaired at the end of the day and in my scatterbrained state forgot to mention until I got there that I had a lesson scheduled for the following afternoon. John was extremely accommodating and got my bow ready in time even though he had another project in the morning. Wish I had a photo of the state it was in after 10 years of neglect, but it looks (and plays) great now! read more

I wanted to update my review, after having had the opportunity to recently try a few of John's bass bows (German) while getting a rehair. The craftsmanship and playability of all of the bows were absolutely superb, while each of them truly having their own character and voice. I was pleasantly surprised at the consistency of craftsmanship, as well as the individual voices of each bow. John is truly a treasure of the Bay Area! read more

I have played violin off an on for almost 50 years, both professionally in symphonies and orchestras, in chamber ensembles, for weddings/events, in bluegrass circles and in country bands. I have played on numerous violins over the years but have always felt that I was limited by my bow. I knew I needed a quality bow and at long last felt I could afford one. I started reading and learning about vintage and new bows and decided I would rather have one to my playing preferences rather than primarily as an investment. I happened to be going to SF on business and as luck would have it, where I needed to go was just a few blocks from John's studio. I read his accolades and endorsements and hoped I would be able to find what I was looking for. I was a bit nervous cold-calling someone with his reputation and didn't know if he would be interested in working with me. After all, I'm not famous and am sadly out of practice. But John could not have been more gracious and helpful. I felt right at home once I got to his studio and he had set out 8 superbly finished bows he had made for me to try. Physical examination revealed the craftsmanship and beauty was amazing. I played and played them all till finally I had my choice narrowed down to 3 and then he played them on my 100 year old German instrument and on his 150 year old fine French violin. After an hour and a half it became apparent which one was the winner. I asked how much it was and if it was the most expensive and he said they are all the same price - just i had to decide which is best for me. His bows are not cheap but they are the real deal! I won't say what kind of investment is required but the price is very competitive for a hand-made bow by a real master with great endorsements. If you contact him I am sure he will discuss the budget needed. I have tried many of my colleagues bows in the symphony and ensembles but never have I played such a powerful and responsive bow that has no trouble with lyrical passages as well. An upgrade of my violin appears to be in order! I feel I can truly assess other instruments because the quality of my bow won't be a limiting factor. Not only do I have a great new bow but John is so personable I feel that I have made a new friend! He guarantees his workmanship for his lifetime and I obviously couldn't be any happier. He also does expert repairs and rehairs! Folks, take it from an experienced (ex) pro: you just can't go wrong with John or his bows! Thank you, John! read more

John is great! He has worked on my James Tubbs gold mounted violin bow, my Carl Albert Nurnberger bow, and Lloyd Liu bow. I highly recommend him! read more

I posted this last year but forgot to include a rating -- five stars! Since I purchased my two Greenwood bows, I can report that with over a year's experience playing them, they are still my go-to bows! I'd also like to mention that John worked on my Chardon (French) viola bow last year -- he did some cosmetic work but also rebalanced it by replacing the screw with one made of a lighter material. I've had this bow for a decade -- it was always wonderful, but now plays much better! John is very analytical in his approach to bow repair and adjustment -- looking closely at balance, density, stiffness and lucchi (speed of sound in the wood). From 2021: I'm an advanced amateur violist, and occasional violinist, and own a number of very fine bows by both modern American and French makers, as well as some big name older French bows. Nevertheless, I'm always on the look out for a better bow, so when I hear about John Greenwood and read some of the professional endorsements on his website, I thought I should give his bows a try. Wow, was I impressed! John's bows play extremely well - they are very well-behaved and controllable, and draw a beautiful tone from my instruments. I acquired one of his viola bows, and a week later decided to upgrade to one of his violin bows as well. These have instantly become my go-to bows -- I am really enjoying playing both of them. Oh, and I also had John work on a couple of my bows that needed repair, both some mechanical and cosmetic issues and had him re-hair a few of my bows as well. He did a really superb job, cleaning up the sticks and metal and adding new leather - they all look beautiful now. John is a real professional - he really knows his trade. I'm sure that one of the reasons he is so successful as a bowmaker is that he's a very accomplished violinist as well. Most bowmakers don't have that extra skill to bring to the craft. read more

John is the best of the best. Highly recommend for your next bow! The price is worth it, and he does a great job with repairs and rehairs.

I bought my bow from John a year ago and it's been the best bow I ever had. When I was making the decision of buying the bow or not, John let me visit a few times before I decided, and I was able to play with different bows at his shop to pick my favorite one. He even let me take one home for a week just to make sure I actually like it. There was no pressure at all. It was a great buying experience and I love his bow so much! read more

John did an amazing job with both of my bows, which I brought to him after they had been neglected for over a decade. What I love about John is that he goes above and beyond with his service. For example, he noticed that, based on the state of my bows, there was a possibility that in the ten years they had been neglected, beetles may have found their way into the case and so he gave me a small bag with a moth ball to put in the case while he was working on the bows. His rehair was also excellent--I just got back from a quick 1 hour practice session and the bows sound better than when they were in their prime! This is no doubt in part to the fact that John took time to clean them up and fix up small things (like the wraps which were starting to unravel). On top of it all, he was able to get it done for me within 24 hours which was extremely convenient! I will definitely go back to John for all my rehair needs and when I'm ready for an upgrade on the bows themselves, I fully intend to check out John's own works of art. read more

John is the most professional bow expert I have ever met. His work is meticulous, and smallest details are always taken care of. I have heard from several colleagues who own and praised, recommended his bow highly, that's why we bought a cello bow from him, and have been very happy about it. He is very knowledgeable and I've learned a lot by talking to him. There's no other person I trust more with my bows, that's why I drive more than one hour to get my rehairs! read more

I brought my bow in to get rehaired and John got it all done extremely fast within the next 2 hours. While I was there he was really kind enough to let me try out his bow collection (which was fantastic) and we had a really cool conversation about the craft/industry. I highly recommend checking out his shop whether you're looking to get repairs or buy a bow! read more

This is about a year delayed... I had my senior recital last year, so for probably once in my life I practiced super hard. Every day. For hours. However, I'm sure due to some poor bowing technique, I kept breaking off hairs. Seriously, at one point I needed to get a new rehair every 2 weeks-month. John went on vacation right before my recital so I was sweating wondering if I would make it through with 75% hair on my Arcus. After John came back, he had heard about my problem through his brother in which I had frantically called asking if they could fit me in for a rehair only to find out he was gone. John had this great idea of putting hair usually used on bass bows on mine (I guess it's more durable). Although I have not practiced nearly as much, I have not had a broken hair yet. Love people with solutions. read more

I'm an advanced amateur violist, and occasional violinist, and own a number of very fine bows by both modern American and French makers, as well as some big name older French bows. Nevertheless, I'm always on the look out for a better bow, so when I hear about John Greenwood and read some of the professional endorsements on his website, I thought I should give his bows a try. Wow, was I impressed! John's bows play extremely well - they are very well-behaved and controllable, and draw a beautiful tone from my instruments. I acquired one of his viola bows, and a week later decided to upgrade to one of his violin bows as well. These have instantly become my go-to bows -- I am really enjoying playing both of them. Oh, and I also had John work on a couple of my bows that needed repair, both some mechanical and cosmetic issues and had him re-hair a few of my bows as well. He did a really superb job, cleaning up the sticks and metal and adding new leather - they all look beautiful now. John is a real professional - he really knows his trade. I'm sure that one of the reasons he is so successful as a bowmaker is that he's a very accomplished violinist as well. Most bowmakers don't have that extra skill to bring to the craft. read more

I bought a bow from John yesterday and could not be more happy with it. I went to his store to fix my current bow. Like a kid in a candy store, I could not help myself to try his numerous bows available right there in his workshop. I had a hard time picking THE ONE, because they are all equally comfortable, well balanced and beautiful. John helped me for two hours, patiently getting more bows to show and playing them for me. I ended up walking out with the bow I liked the most. Today, I spent hours playing all the bows I own and John's bow make both of my violins sound 30% brighter and clearer. What a joy to glide his stick on the strings - the bow just goes, like the perfect butter on a dark rye - the result is honey for my soul. Thank you John for your craft and impeccable attention to detail! The bow is just perfect! -Alina. read more

Amazing bows, amazing service! It was such a joy to be able to try John Greenwood's bows and I was so happy when I found the one for me after a few years of searching and trying many different bows. The bow I got is light yet very precise and clear and it brings a very warm sound on the lower strings and a bright one on the E string. My right wrist has been definitely more relaxed and I am thoroughly enjoying my new bow. I am so happy I found this place. read more

After two years of searching for a new violin bow, my ears brought me back to John Greenwood. I tried all other vendors and bow-makers across California, and even parts of Chicago and the Midwest, and nothing compared to the superb quality and craftsmanship that can be seen and heard through my new bow from Mr. Greenwood. It is stylistically versatile, dynamically balanced, and responsive to quick string crossings. I now barely have to work to get a beautiful tone or articulation out of my instrument; I can barely bring myself to go back to playing with my old bow! The service is incredibly professional and John is very personable while you browse. His opinions and perspectives tell me that he is someone who is not just a bow-maker, but also a fine musician. He puts so much care and detail into his work from start to finish; I wouldn't dare take my instrument to someone with any less vocational passion. I recommend all of my students and colleagues to Mr. Greenwood for re-hairs and bows. read more

I had the pleasure of meeting John and his bows on a quick 2-day stopover in San Fran. I had just started on a bow search recently and I really had no expectation to find "the one." But I contacted him after reading some great reviews and he was so accommodating in scheduling me into his busy schedule. His promptness in responding to his clients is first rate! Exuding warmth and generosity in taking the time to show his craft, it is obvious that John loves bow making. I tried about 15 bows and was impressed with the overall playability, design, and personality of each one. He even offered to demonstrate the ones I liked and offered his opinions on which suited my modern instrument. I did not feel pressured one bit and was happy to be sent home with an overnight trial. I instantly fell in love with the bow and my violin sounded healthier with renewed life and energy in the tone (bright yet warm and articulate). I also am intrigued by the science and analysis John has put into his bow making and was impressed that he was able to communicate those ideas to his clients. Thank you, John, for an excellent bow buying experience! read more

I love my new bow made by John Greenwood! Waited long to make my purchase decision and tried multiple bows in the same price range, including carbon fiber Arcus bows. In the end John's bows offered the most comfortable playing. In fact, I had a hard time deciding which bow to buy, as they are all crafted so well and are easy to play. After narrowing the selection down to 2 that made my instrument sound best, I eventually picked the one drawing a brighter tone out of my violin. John is a skilled and knowledgable bowmaker, and he also plays violin very well. He played the bows for me so I could hear how they sounded "not directly under my ear". Very happy with my experience. Thank you, John, for my new bow! I will come back for rehairing and other maintenance. Highly recommend. read more

Finding a good bass-bow rehair in San Francisco is quite a challenge, but no more! I've been extremely happy with John Greenwood's rehair on my bow, as well as the repair work that he did on the grip. I've never had a bow sound so good right away (usually it takes a while for the rosin to set in). I'll definitely be back! Not the cheapest job (around $100 for the rehair), but worth the quality. Parking is a bit difficult, but if you call ahead he can tell you about his secret garage space! read more

In a word: rehairs in the Bay Area don't get much better than John's. It has been a long time since I've felt hair this good. After five years of living in the east bay and trying the rest I can proudly say that as long as they are around I will happily cross that beautiful, traffic laden road-raged den of inequity of a bridge for a rehair...and that is no light compliment! I'd reccomend John and his brother Michael for a number of reasons. They are generous with their time and knowledge. Being at the shop was a bit of an education itself, and I was in awe of John's natural and meticulous curiousity as a lifelong learner. Second, they are honest. John gave me some good insights through an honest evaluation of my bow for no other reason than my own benefit. Third, I feel I can trust them. It is clear to me that they are interested in maintaining professional relationships with musicians, not cashing in from customers. All that to say: work aside, John and his brother appear to be persons of excellent character - a musician's musician. Oh, and I forgot to mention: they are absolutely hilarious! Finally, regarding the rehair...I love it! I like the frog not too far from the thumbcushion when at playing tension because these are tactile points of reference - for me at least. And what do you know? The distance is perfect. The hair itself feels really good and sounds great - no curly, discolored or weird looking hairs. When I arrived to pick up my bow it was presented back to me looking clean and smart. As he looked over the bow before I left the shop he mentioned to me that something on the frog that could use some minor work and fixed it as I waited. For all of this, the price is right on. Visiting the shop was good experience for me and I have no doubt that it will be a good one for you, too. While your average audience might not be able to appreciate the finer points of a good rehair you most certainly will. Use your energy for music - not frustration. It is without reservation that I reccomend that you give John and Michael a try and enjoy the fruits of their experience. read more

I am a young professional violist who has been searching for that perfect bow to accompany my fine instrument for a long time. I've tried at least 50 bows from all over the world ranging from $2000-$10000 and while there were a few that I almost wanted to buy, I didn't feel confident or certain enough in those bows to lay down that type of money . My long search for that perfect bow recently ended at John Greenwood's shop in San Francisco. I knew immediately as I was trying out the bows in his shop that his bows were something special. A few things that stood out to me about his bows: Tone: His bows have that special "quality" in the tone - it's hard to describe but it is like a true core sound that has character. Versatile sound. Makes my instrument sound more expensive. Volume: Great projection Playability: The bow I bought is well balanced, easy to get crisp articulation, easy to blend or play piannisimo in orchestra, easy to bounce. A+ playability. The bow I bought was $4000, and I am very confident in it. Mr. Greenwood and his brother truly love and understand their craft and what musicians want, and it translates into their bows. They put a lot of care into the process - starting from using top quality wood - to all these very little details. If you are looking for a new bow, I highly recommend John Greenwood's work and I am sure his bows are going to become very valuable in the future. read more

I recently purchased a German bass bow from John and it has exceeded my expectations. I'd heard about Greenwood bows from a couple of my colleagues who had bought French bass bows from him and on a whim I decided to send John an email asking if he had any German bows. Within a couple hours I was on the phone with John and he had a bow to me in a few days. From the beginning of my search to the end, John was nothing but helpful and enthusiastic about helping me find a good match in his bows. The stick he ended up sending me was around 142 grams and was a bit shorter than some of the German bows I'd been trying. But its weight and length gave it such a comfortable and swift feeling in the hand--I felt like I could play it all day and not tire. The sound was bright and clear but warm at the same time and it made my instrument sound like I knew it could. I decided to buy it within the week. John is a master bowmaker and fun to work with. Check him out if you're in the market for a high end bow of any kind! read more

A few days before an audition, a piece inside the frog of my bow fell and I needed an emergency rehair. I took it to John Greenwood for a quick job. At that time I only owned one bow and with an audition only a few days away, I couldn't go 24 hours without practicing. Understanding my situation, John loaned me his very own bow. I absolutely loved his bow, so I made an appointment to try some that he made. I had been searching for a new bow on and off for seven years and I finally found it at John Greenwood's shop! His bow is so easy to play and bounces very well. It give my violin so much more power and a clearer/ brighter tone. It has so much life and vitality to it. And not only that but, his bows are so reasonably priced! My violin sounds like a different and more expensive instrument when coupled with John's bow. I am so happy with my new bow!!! And the rehair is top notch. Best rehair I've ever had. It made my own mediocre bow sounds the best it ever has. John and his brother are very sweet and helpful. I enjoyed working with them both in my emergency rehair situation and in trying and purchasing a bow. I highly recommend them! read more

I had been searching for my dream bass bow for more than a decade...! After tried numerous of bows from old and new masters, I finally found bow that I fell in love with !! greenwood bow! His bow plays like dream on my 1700s old Italian bass! Huge sound, fast response and brilliant in every way! Also, this is one of most beautiful bass bows I ever had! If I had major audition or recital coming up I would prefer greenwood's bow than any other masters bows I have ever played! I highly recommend his bow to any serious players who want to play in major orchestras in the future. Also , for current professional players! Definitely worth to try!! And You won't be regret! read more

My friend (a professional violinist) and I both needed our bows rehaired, so I sent John a note off his website, and he called me back that very evening! He not only arranged a time to drop our bows off, but turned them around within two days! When I dropped the bows off, he noticed that there was additional work needed on both, which he showed me, and I was happy to authorize. He then still completed both rehair and repair as promised, and the bows look great! John does many bows for SF symphony members (there was one there during my visit!), and I would highly recommend him! read more

John is an amazing bow maker. We have been coming to him for several years to get my children's violin bows hair changed, their bow grips to be changed or improved, which is very important for young violinists learning proper bow techniques without any tension. When one of my child's bow broke, John fixed it for us quickly. He is very accommodating when we have to get the hair done or some other issues to be resolved quickly. At other shops, we cannot even talk to a bow person to get what we want to get done, but with John, I can communicate clearly in details of what we wanted to see with the bow and he can also shares his expertise and knowledges to get the best results we want to see. I highly recommend John for any bow issues, bow hair changes etc. read more

I've had my bass bow rehaired by John Greenwood a couple times now and the quality of service that John gives is well worth the price. He's very quick to reply to inquiries, VERY fast turnaround for the rehair (mine was actually done/ready in 1 day), and the hair itself lasts much longer than others I've had. I like that my bow comes back nice and clean as well, it's a nice touch. I'm a Bay Area professional orch freelancer, so the hair is a big investment. read more

John Greenwood, Bowmaker - Fresh Salt/Pepper hair on my bass bow. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I have been trying bows over the past four years knowing that a serious upgrade was coming soon. I was in no rush and I have played a large quantity of bows even those that cost twice what John's do and I can confidently say nothing has even come close to John's bows. Seeing John this summer I was blown by his knowledge of the craft and attention to detail. Because John is specific in his weights and measurements, he produces results that are repeatable and consistent and he knows what controls the feel and play of a bow as opposed to cracking it up to some sort of magical art, because just like instruments there is a reason they sound better, it is not magic. When I first visited him, he weighed and measured my bow to know what I was working with and asked me what sound I wanted from my Viola, I have never had someone put this attention to detail into finding the right equipment and a tool I can work with. If you are on the fence, I encourage you to visit his shop. John is friendly and extremely knowledgeable and once you play his bows you will understand that his work is a step above the rest. read more

John is very thorough and clearly a talented craftsman, but VERY expensive. Even for a simple re-hair, expect to pay a premium.

I'm a busy concert violinist. Let me say that I'm highly satisfied with my lovely violin bow made by John Greenwood. It pretty much does everything! Before meeting John, I'd been on a long search for a concert quality bow. I visited many respected violin shops around the country and the Bay Area on my patient search. I probably tried 100's of bows. Of all the bows I tried in my budget range, John's bows were consistently the finest. My experience working with John were only positive. I would recommend any serious string player visit John Greenwood's shop. read more

Coming home to San Francisco for a major recital this week, I was in desperate need of a bow rehair (fantastic planning on my part, I know). I contacted John on an urgent last-minute request on a Monday afternoon (probably very close to closing hour), and got it back on the very next day. The rehair was beautiful and couldn't have imagined it to be any better. This was also the moment when he casually laid out a few of his bows - and under an hour, I found THE BOW. Extremely effortless in control with the perfect weight and very well-balanced all across. This description doesn't really do any justice to the actual feel of the bow, but hopefully you get what I mean. Bought it within the same week because at that point it was just a matter of time of getting this bow. John is the man. You won't be disappointed. read more

This is first time I gave 2 of my bows to John to repair after doing some research around Bay Area. I have to say John is worthy of me driving up from San Jose during weekdays. The quality of repair on my bows is superb. It feels alive again after being sitting in my case idle for 2 years. All bolts and parts feel wonderfully fitted again. The re-hair is also done in a top notch quality. Another thing I really enjoy is his passion for his work. This is a big difference between repairman and artist. This wonderful quality of his will guarantee my return of business in future. read more