Violin Forum/Message Board

ollieken · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:17 am Post subject: A? on Bow hair

What end of the hair do you put at the tip of the bow, is it the
dark end ? or the nice white end . I have heard that
the dark end is weak hair & should go to the tip end

What is your opion Thank`s ken

Michael Darnton · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject:

It's done both ways. One of the more logical things I've heard is that the dark end is thicker, so if you put it at the tip, that compensates a bit for the narrowing of the ribbon up there. Then, the other very logical thing I've heard is that the dark hair takes abuse better, and abuse happens near the frog; also being thicker, it fits more proportionally at the frog, thin at the other end, where the hole is smaller. I'm sure there are passionate advocates for both methods.

There's also the possiblity of flipping half the hair, which some people do.

The most sure thing is that you shouldn't do it based on the direction of the "barbs" on the hair, as some people say. The barbs don't do a thing regarding how a bow plays--all that ever touches the string is rosin.
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Mat Roop · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 4:04 pm Post subject:

Mat Roop · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 4:06 pm Post subject:

So does it also make sense then that rehairing should begin at the frog, so that the maximum of cut off discarded hair is from the dark , weaker end of the hank?
... Cheers, Mat

Michael Darnton · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:22 pm Post subject:

I'll accept your measurement. :-) I try to stay away from bow work.

I'll have to ask my bow friend what he does the next time I see him.
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Mat Roop · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:12 pm Post subject:

Hi Michael... would you be so kind as to let us know his comments? Many thanks... Mat

ollieken · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject: bow hair

Michael & Mat thank you for the reply
Do you think that maybe all
the bow rehair guy`s have passed away that used to post here must be more than two
with an opion or are they all on M Net ......ken

Jack H. · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 2:23 am Post subject:

Hi, It really does not matter which end goes where, or from which end you should begin your rehair. Been rehairing since '94. Personally I rehair from the tip first and the dirty end goes at the frog, That's just the way my hair hangs at the shop, so that's the way it goes. I would have no qualms whatsoever if it went the other way.

ollieken · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:04 pm Post subject: Thanks

Thank `s Jack I rehair fom the tip as well I think it would be harder from the frog first I have only done a dozen or so the first few rehair has a lot of harsh words in it Ken

Michael Darnton · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:29 pm Post subject:

One of my greatest joys in moving to work Bein and Fushi in Chicago in 1984 was that they had a separate bow department, and that I would never again have to rehair a bow.
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Mat Roop · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:25 am Post subject:

I hear you Michael!!! There was a time when I vowed never again to try to rehair a bow!
But as my favorite high school latin teacher taught me.... If at first you don't succeed try and try again.... and then, practice makes purrrfect!
Now, after 22 years, I love doing bows!
Cheers, Mat