I have found the Presto Violin Bow to be a decent bow for my violin. Composed of carbon-fiber, it is very responsive on the strings, and it is a good bow for fiddling. I also like its tone on the higher notes of the E-string. Whereas some bows are more suited for the lower notes on a violin, my Presto bow brings out the high tones clearly and powerfully. Conversely, the bow does not provide much warmth on the lower notes (specifically on the G and D strings), so I prefer to use it only when I have a piece of music that utilizes lots of scales and higher notes.

For its quality and playability it is comparable to an advanced wood stick, but it costs about the same as an intermediate student bow. I would not recommend this as a primary bow; however, I like it enough that I bought a second one on eBay.

Shortly after the introduction of the popular Presto bow, the Presto Performance Series was introduced. This collection of three violin bows is designed for the more advanced violinists. Just like the original Presto bow (described above), they are all made of carbon-fiber; therefore, they are very durable and supposedly have characteristics similar to pernambuco bows (the standard for advanced and professional bows).

One of my friends recently received a Presto Audition bow, the first bow in the Presto Performance Series (the other two are the Presto Encore and the Presto Ovation). When I tried out the bow, the first thing that caught my eye was its open-weave finish. Unlike wood bows which are carved, carbon-fiber bows are weaved together. The open-weave finish, which the original Presto bow does not have, gives the bow an attractive, grain-like finish.

The Presto Audition is just as responsive as the Presto bow. It also does a good job of bringing out the high notes clearly, but it does not sacrifice the warmth and singability of the lower notes. It has a normal weight, so it is easy to handle, and you can attack the strings without fear of the horsehair bottoming out.

For its price, I think it's around $160, I think its a very good investment for any serious violinist. It would make a very good primary stick for anyone who needs one. I might consider getting one someday, but I already have three decent carbon-fiber bows, so I won't think about it for a long time.