Violin Fiddle Set-Up Questions about Bow Rehairing

Subject: FIDDLE BOW REHAIR
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 13:21:07 -0500

Just read your letter recommending a professional to re-hair fiddle bows. surely there is a site where someone has instructions on re-hairing a fiddle bow. I play for my own entertainment and my grand child got into my case and broke the hairs in the bow. I believe I could perform the operation. If I played professionaly it would matter but for my case, I think home repair would do. so please, is there a site that has instructions on re-hair a fiddle bow ? I promise I will not give away any secrets.

Thanks

Greetings,

I studied rehairing bows as a protege...and, no it's not a difficult process...and, yes, to do it right, it is. Additionally, it takes some essential equipment besides the horse hair itself. Meaning it's not cost effective to perform only one or two rehairs...see below for further info...and best of luck to you in your research efforts, Mickey

Here's an interview from http://www.tiac.net/~cfiddle/bowrehair.html:

"From my experience, its almost impossible to rehair a bow properly by yourself without training and some specialized bench tools. I learned this during a summer course in bow rehairing at the University of New Hampshire. Even though I took the course, learned to rehair, and I'm pretty skilled with tools, I still send my own bows out to persons in my area who rehair bows for a living.

I could rehair a bow if I had to, but its much easier to let a pro do it. Learning to rehair bows quickly and accurately takes lots of time and practice, just like playing an instrument! Knowing what I know now about bows, I would never recommend that a beginner try it from scratch, except on a real "junker," for fun. Its really easy to damage a nice bow if you don't know what you are doing!

I've briefly described and illustrated the construction of violin bows in my book, The Fiddle and Violin Buyer's Guide. There are also many other sources for violin related information in the book"

Here's an example from http://www.mesailing.com/~lahbows/rehair.htm:
REHAIRING SUPPLIES

* Alcohol lamp, glass $10.00
* Alcohol lamp, 1/2" wick $14.00
* Comb, metal, with rounded fine teeth $10.00
* Thread, nylon, three-ply $6.00
* Cleaner/Polish, 1 ounce bottle $3.00
* Cleaner/Polish, 4 ounce bottle $10.00
* Hair measuring gauge $6.00
* Turning/Spreading stick $6.00
* Pushing stick $3.00
* Buffing stick $6.00
* Pick, for plug removal(stainless steel) $4.00
* Deluxe Rosin Box(single piece, cedar)w/ lid and rosin applicator $40.00
* Rosin, Salchow Brand $5.00
* Rosin, Pops Brand (for bass only) $6.50
* Assortment of plug and ferrule wedge wood $5.00
* Bow Rehairing Kit (includes head and frog holder, alcohol lamp,metal comb, nylon thread, pick, turning/spreading stick, pushing stick, hair gauge, buffing stick, 1oz cleaner/polish), kit is approx 10% less expensive than individual items ordered separately) $95.00

Subject: Want to restring an antique bow
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 19:21:51 -0500

Hi, Mickey. My husband - as I type - is playing the violin that my grandfather brought from Germany with him in the late 1800's. The bow is a beauty, with genuine ivory trim, but is pretty ragged. The new bow he bought can't hold a candle to the old one, so he would like information on restringing the old bow. My husband is a talented individual, and I'm sure could restring this wonderful antique bow, if he knew how to go about it. Can you help?

Thanks! Pat & Larry Teague

Greetings Pat & Larry,

Loved to help if I can...

I worked as an apprentice for a Master Luthier who taught me how to re-string a bow. It was a delicate process of which I don't believe I would even attempt today without the proper tools. Now, to purchase the tools necessary, can be somewhat expensive itself...and, the time and materials it takes to get your first re-string right, can also be costly...therefore, I'd highly recommend finding a local violin shop who has the resources to perform the task professionally.

Mainly, you'll most definitely not want to jeopardize the integrity of a vintage bow...these bows should be left to the experts...or, it may lose its value substantially if something should go wrong with the re-stringing effort.

Now, if you're determined to do it yourself, and you don't mind the expense of it all, there are some good books on the topic that will take you through a step-by-step process. Who knows, your husband may even find a new avocation. I would recommend practicing on some cheaps bows before attempting to tackle a vintage bow...

Go to: www.amazon.com and type in Violin Repair for some gret titles....

Wake, Harry. VIOLIN BOW REHAIR AND REPAIR. With Drawings and Photos by the Aut -- Price: $35.00

Violin Bow Rehair and Repair
by Harry Sebastian Wake (Spiral-bound - June 1975)