Using a violin bow on a cello is similar. A violin bow will produce a sound on a cello, but the tone will be poor, soft, and nothing above pianissimo. Cello strings are far too thick and big for a violin bow to handle. As mentioned previously, the cello requires more pressure, and a violin bow can’t handle this pressure.

The bows of the cello are shorter, as the strings are larger. The amount of horsehair can make a difference in the tone quality. Although the violin’s bow is longer, it is thin. Other vital parts of the cello are the waist and bouts. These parts can increase bow clearance and ensure a better quality sound.