Reparation, restoration en re-hairing of bows

The studio offers an extra service for the reparation, restoration and rehairing of bows. Naturally we always use fresh, unbleached horses’ hear.

The hair length depends on the season: in winter time longer hair that can shrink a bit, during summer shorter hair that can expand a little. A good rehairing doesn’t use too much hair. This would increase the risk of breaking the frog. It also reduces the sound quality. More hairs means less sound quality. The musician will need more rosin to compensate this, which only aggravates the situation.

Advice and consultation are free.

 Tips to check whether or not your bow needs rehairing:

• a lot of broken hairs on the play side
• need for extra (too much) rosin to get the necessary grip, this also shows on the instrument
• the length of the hairs is not adjusted to the season: too short is dangerous for the tip and the curve, too long is dangerous for the end and the frog
• rehairing should happen every six months (for professionals when needed). This corresponds with the changing of the seasons (during winter time the temperature and the humidity will drop, and will pick up again around April)
• something soiled the hairs (oil, cleaning products, etc.)
• bugs in your case can eat the hairs: immediate inspection of your case is needed. Lavender oil or a cube of cedar wood can work miracles. Especially old cases that are upholstered with felt are often a breeding ground for these bugs. This shows through the hard skins of these bugs in the case and when the hairs are broken in a straight way (bitten). With normal wear the hairs will break in different places.