Glasser Bows Inc
Glasser Bows Inc (Glasser NY) is a US-based manufacturer of composite bows, carbon composite stringed instruments, and accessories, and the exclusive North American importer of Larsen Strings, serving student, advancing, and professional string musicians through dealers, DTC, and a long-running bow reconditioning program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1938
- HeadquartersCarlsbad, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Glasser Bows Inc does
Glasser Bows Inc, founded in 1938 and operating under the brand Glasser NY, is a US-based specialty manufacturer of composite bows, carbon composite stringed instruments, and related accessories, and the exclusive North American importer of Larsen Strings. The company invented and patented the world's first fiberglass bow and continues to develop composite bow technology, including a proprietary Braided Carbon Fiber (BCF) platform spanning entry-level (BCFX), standard (BCF), and premium gold- or silver-mounted variants (BCFS, BCFG). Glasser's instrument line includes carbon composite violins, violas, and cellos in acoustic, acoustic-electric (AE with Bartolini electronics), and AEX (with Schatten bridge pickups) configurations, sold individually or as complete outfits. The accessories portfolio covers Perfection Planetary Pegs, the patent-pending Swordtail active tailpiece system, carbon composite tailpieces, instrument stands, bass wheels, endpins, bow cases, and rosin.
The company monetizes through one-time unit sales across bow lines, instruments, accessories, and distributed Larsen Strings, with revenue distributed across multiple channels. Its go-to-market combines an authorized dealer network for B2B distribution, a direct-to-consumer e-commerce webstore at shop.glasserbows.com, and the long-running Reconditioning Program (established 1976) that services millions of bows and supports school and rental-fleet customers. Customer segments are diversified across student musicians, advancing players, professional performers, and schools/institutions, with artist endorsements spanning classical, country, rock, and Celtic genres. Headcount is 1-10 employees, the company is privately held with no disclosed funding or parent company, and operations are anchored in Palisades, NY (corporate/financial) with a reconditioning facility in San Diego operated by Panasonic Logistic Solutions.
Glasser Bows Inc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Glasser Bows Inc
- Legal name
- Glasser Bows Inc
- Website
- https://glasserbows.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1938
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Glasser Bows Inc (Glasser NY) is a US-based manufacturer of composite bows, carbon composite stringed instruments, and accessories, and the exclusive North American importer of Larsen Strings, serving student, advancing, and professional string musicians through dealers, DTC, and a long-running bow reconditioning program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Glasser Bows Inc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- String Instrument Bows
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (459140)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Instrument Accessories & Consumables Retail (Strings, Reeds, Sticks, Cables) (CRALAEAE)
Keywords
Where Glasser Bows Inc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carlsbad
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Glasser Bows Inc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Bow Sales: Core revenue from patented fiberglass and carbon fiber bows across multiple series (H, SH, X, AC, CG, Texalium, BCF, BCFX, BCFR, BCFS, BCFG). Products range from student entry-level to professional-grade bows with various mounting options (nickel-silver, silver, gold).
- Instrument Sales: Carbon composite violins, violas, cellos, and basses available in acoustic and acoustic-electric (AE/AEX) models. Products offered as individual instruments or complete outfits including case, bow, and accessories. Features 4-string and 5-string options in various colors.
- Larsen Strings Distribution: Exclusive importer of Larsen Strings for North America for over 25 years. Generates revenue through distribution of violin, viola, and cello strings including Original, Virtuoso, Tzigane, Il Cannone, Magnacore, and Aurora lines.
- Accessories: Wide range of accessories including Perfection Pegs, Swordtail tailpiece systems, bow cases, bass wheels, endpins, instrument stands, tailpieces, tuners, and rosins from Glasser NY, Larsen Strings, and Royal Oak.
- Reconditioning Program: Dealer exchange program established in 1976 allowing authorized dealers to trade in used bows for like-new replacements. Program services millions of bows and provides rental fleet support for schools.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Graduation gift promotional pricing with tiered discounts |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Glasser Bows Inc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Glasser Bows designs, manufactures, and sells composite bows (fiberglass, carbon graphite, advanced composite, Texalium, and patented Braided Carbon Fiber variants), carbon composite stringed instruments (acoustic and acoustic-electric violins, violas, and cellos with Bartolini electronics), and a broad range of related accessories (Planetary Perfection Pegs, Swordtail active tailpiece systems, tailpieces, bass wheels, endpins, stands, cases, and rosin) for violin, viola, cello, and bass players. The company also serves as the exclusive importer of Larsen Strings for North America and operates a 1976-established dealer Reconditioning Program that exchanges used bows for like-new replacements.
Product overview
Glasser Bows Inc is a manufacturer of stringed instrument products with three main product lines: bows (fiberglass, composite/graphite, and braided carbon fiber series), instruments (carbon composite violins, violas, and cellos in acoustic and acoustic-electric variants), and accessories (tailpieces, pegs, cases, stands, rosin, and strings). The company also serves as the exclusive North American importer of Larsen Strings. The bow lineup spans from entry-level H Series fiberglass to premium BCFG gold-mounted braided carbon fiber bows. Instruments are available in acoustic, AE (acoustic-electric with Bartolini electronics), and AEX (with Bartolini pre-amp and Schatten pick-ups) configurations. Accessories include Perfection Planetary Pegs, Swordtail active tailpiece systems, and various performance supports.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fiberglass Bows (H, SH, SHC/SHCC Series)
Quantifiable outcome
- Millions of Glasser Bows have been serviced through the Reconditioning Program established in 1976
Companies that use Glasser Bows Inc
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Glasser Bows Inc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Glasser Bows Inc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Larsen StringscoreFor over 25 years, Glasser Bows has been Larsen Strings' exclusive importer for North America. The cooperation between the companies has forged a deep friendship. The companies have grown together and Glasser is honored to represent Larsen in North America, bringing these strings to musicians. Larsen strings are featured on all Glasser instruments as standard equipment.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Glasser Bows Inc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Eastman Strings: Eastman manufactures and distributes a wide range of string instruments and bows from student to professional tiers, with strong U.S. dealer relationships. It competes with Glasser across instruments, bows, and accessories in the same school and advancing-player channels.
- Yamaha (Musical Instruments): Yamaha produces student and professional string instruments, bows, and accessories, and sells through extensive dealer networks. While not a direct composite specialist, Yamaha overlaps materially with Glasser in the school and intermediate instrument/bow segment.
- D'Addario: D'Addario is the dominant global manufacturer of musical strings and accessories, including its own bow and instrument accessory lines. It competes broadly with Glasser in strings (including premium violin/viola/cello) and accessories, with far greater scale and distribution.
Direct peers
- NS Design: NS Design (Ned Steinberger) makes electric violins, violas, cellos, and basses with onboard amplification and carbon/composite construction. It directly competes with Glasser's AE/AEX carbon composite instruments in the electric string-instrument category.
- Thomastik-Infeld: Thomastik-Infeld manufactures premium violin, viola, and cello strings (Dominant, Vision, Infeld, Peter Infeld lines) and competes directly with the Larsen Strings lines Glasser distributes in North America.
- CodaBow: CodaBow designs and manufactures carbon fiber bows for violin, viola, cello, and bass across student through professional tiers. It is the most direct composite-bow competitor to Glasser's BCF/X/CG/AC line and competes head-to-head with similar materials, price points, and endorsements.
Regional players
- Shar Music: Shar Music is a large U.S. retailer and distributor of string instruments, bows, and accessories. While primarily a reseller, it competes with Glasser for dealer and institutional relationships and distributes competing bow and string brands into Glasser's core channels.
Emerging players
- Wood Violins: Wood Violins builds electric violins and accessories aimed at contemporary and touring players. It overlaps with Glasser's AE/AEX line in the electric string-instrument niche, with similar customization and amplification positioning.
- Fiddlerman: Fiddlershop / Fiddlerman is a direct-to-consumer brand offering student and intermediate bows, instruments, and accessories online. It overlaps with Glasser at the entry-level fiberglass bow tier and competes on price through a streamlined DTC model.
Others
- Larsen Strings: Larsen Strings is Glasser's exclusive North American distribution partner and also manufactures its own violin/viola/cello string lines. While Glasser is a customer/partner rather than a competitor in name, Larsen products ultimately overlap with anything Glasser could resell independently.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Glasser Bows Inc social profiles
Digital presenceGlasser Bows Inc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Glasser Bows Inc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Glasser Bows Inc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Glasser Bows Inc M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Glasser Bows Inc
What does Glasser Bows Inc do?
Glasser Bows designs, manufactures, and sells composite bows (fiberglass, carbon graphite, advanced composite, Texalium, and patented Braided Carbon Fiber variants), carbon composite stringed instruments (acoustic and acoustic-electric violins, violas, and cellos with Bartolini electronics), and a broad range of related accessories (Planetary Perfection Pegs, Swordtail active tailpiece systems, tailpieces, bass wheels, endpins, stands, cases, and rosin) for violin, viola, cello, and bass players. The company also serves as the exclusive importer of Larsen Strings for North America and operates a 1976-established dealer Reconditioning Program that exchanges used bows for like-new replacements.
Is Glasser Bows Inc a public or private company?
Glasser Bows Inc is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Glasser Bows Inc founded?
Glasser Bows Inc was founded in 1938. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Glasser Bows Inc based?
Glasser Bows Inc is headquartered in Carlsbad, United States, in the North America region.
How does Glasser Bows Inc make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Bow Sales are the primary driver. The others are instrument Sales, larsen Strings Distribution, accessories and reconditioning Program.
Who are Glasser Bows Inc's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Eastman Strings, Yamaha (Musical Instruments) and D'Addario. Direct peers are NS Design, Thomastik-Infeld and CodaBow. Shar Music is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Wood Violins and Fiddlerman. Larsen Strings is listed as an others.
Does Glasser Bows Inc have an API?
No public API is recorded for Glasser Bows Inc.
What industry is Glasser Bows Inc in?
Glasser Bows Inc's product category is String Instrument Bows. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAF, Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads), with a secondary code of CRALAEAE, Instrument Accessories & Consumables Retail (Strings, Reeds, Sticks, Cables). Its NAICS code is 339992 and its SIC code is 3931.