Abstract: A string instrument bow guide that selectively fits a bow played string instrument without being fastened to the string instrument. The guide has two arc shaped inserts that may be made of a flexible material and that removably fit within a pair of opposed bouts. A pair of holes is provided in each insert for selective fit of a pair of memory strands that arch above a highway of the strings. A range of desired spacing above the strings is provided by both an insert thickness of the inserts relative to a depth of the bouts and also by a selective fit of the strands within the inserts. The bow guide is selectively disassembled or collapsed to fit within a case of the string instrument.