I went for many years and many bows without one, and then found a good deal on Craigslist. I got a Jet EHVS-80CS, like new for about half the price of a new one. It's a basic model as far as edge sanders go. It does NOT oscillate, but I don't miss that function. It's sturdy, the table is cast iron, and belts change quickly and track well. I run very aggressive paper on it, 40 grit I think? and it removes wood fast. I use the drum function of it quite a bit too and haven't used the drum sander in my drill press for a long time. I use the edge sander often now on all types of bows and other projects and should have gotten one years ago.
The only downside is, it makes a LOT of dust... so my next purchase was a dust collection system :^)