Our story
Born from stage mishaps and the inventor's ingenuity.
Bow Buddies started as an experiment after one too many rehearsal interruptions. We wanted a way to protect bows, streamline rehearsals, and help young players feel confident on stage.
The spark
During a youth symphony rehearsal, a bow slipped, fell, and cracked. That led to a costly repair and rattled the section leader. We knew there had to be a smarter way to stage bows without resting them on chairs or tucking them under an arm during transitions.
We printed our first clips on a home 3D printer, tweaking the geometry until the grip felt secure and the bow sat naturally. From there, we refined materials and finishes with input from professional luthiers and teachers.
Values that guide every Bow Buddy
- Musicians first Everything we build should feel natural during a performance and protect the craft.
- Repair prevention The Bow Buddy should save you money on rehairs and repairs, not add maintenance.
- Family craftsmanship We inspect every clip by hand and iterate based on feedback from our community.
Timeline
- 2021 — The prototype First garage-built clip, printed in PLA and field-tested in orchestra rehearsals.
- 2022 — Teacher pilots Local studio instructors begin using Bow Buddies with students during private lessons.
- 2023 — Material upgrade Shifted to injection-molded components with elastomer pads for a premium finish.
- 2024 — Ensemble rollout Expanded to school programs and chamber groups with bulk ordering support.
Who we support
Studio teachers, orchestra directors, touring musicians, and parents of budding performers. We love hearing how Bow Buddies help players stay calm and organized.
Share your story
Drop us a line on the contact page with photos or feedback. We highlight community stories in our newsletter.
Looking ahead
We’re experimenting with new attachment styles, including magnetic mounts for lockers and foam mic stands for quick backstage swaps. We’re also exploring eco-friendly materials made from recycled polymers.
Interested in partnering or carrying Bow Buddies in your shop? Reach out—collaboration keeps us inspired.
Meet the team
- Hyrum Billman Inventor, resident string player, and design tester.
- Joe Billman Programmer, logistics, and musician dad.