Andrew Posted October 19, 1998 Report Share Posted October 19, 1998 Recently, I have some thoughts on whether or not I should train myself to rehair my bow, since I am starting to feel that it would be more convenient for me to be able to do so myself, saving myself the time of going to my luthier, which is quite a distance from my place. Do you think this is possible by self-learning? And do I need a lot of tools? Hope I do not damage my bows too. Thanks in advance for any advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Reuning Posted October 19, 1998 Report Share Posted October 19, 1998 Andrew, Bow rehairing is, actually a very demanding skill and damaging your bow is a distinct possibility without proper guidance. We hired a new bow apprentice and, although he is quite talented, it took him about three months of practice before he could consistently rehair a bow well. There are courses offered in bow rehairing at several locations around the country. I would encourage you to look into one of them....the world needs more good bow rehairers! : Recently, I have some thoughts on whether or not I should train myself to rehair my bow, since I am starting to feel that it would be more convenient for me to be able to do so myself, saving myself the time of going to my luthier, which is quite a distance from my place. Do you think this is possible by self-learning? And do I need a lot of tools? Hope I do not damage my bows too. Thanks in advance for any advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Darnton Posted October 19, 1998 Report Share Posted October 19, 1998 I'm with Chris, at least on the level of difficulty--one of the nicest things about defining myself as a VIOLIN maker is that I no longer have to rehair bows. The guys who are good at it do it all the time and stay in practice, and probably still hate doing it as much as I used to. It's really not one of the easy and fun jobs in the violin business. Though someone, somewhere, probably enjoys it I don't know him. : Andrew, : Bow rehairing is, actually a very demanding skill and damaging your bow is a distinct possibility without proper guidance. We hired a new bow apprentice and, although he is quite talented, it took him about three months of practice before he could consistently rehair a bow well. There are courses offered in bow rehairing at several locations around the country. I would encourage you to look into one of them....the world needs more good bow rehairers! : : Recently, I have some thoughts on whether or not I should train myself to rehair my bow, since I am starting to feel that it would be more convenient for me to be able to do so myself, saving myself the time of going to my luthier, which is quite a distance from my place. Do you think this is possible by self-learning? And do I need a lot of tools? Hope I do not damage my bows too. Thanks in advance for any advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Posted October 19, 1998 Report Share Posted October 19, 1998 Hi : Many years ago, I learned rehairing from books, but never quite did it right...so, went to an experienced person and paid him to let me watch the procedure..wow, the little details skimmed over in books are very important. I suggest you purchase some junky old bows from a violin shop, pawn shop, or whatever...then, with the help of books, rehair the bows...if one is broken...no matter. Then, after you've done 20 or so bows, go to an experienced rehair person who will let you watch the job done, explaining his steps...then, do about 20 more bows....then, maybe your own bows! Special tools needed include a very sharp knife, pushers for the plugs, and a jig which will hold the bow parts securely while the rehair is done. I bought a jig long time ago...worthless, and after three or four generations of improvement came up with one I felt good about for me.... Check out Vitalli Import, Howard Core or Montagnana Books for self help books on the subject. Have fun, Al : Recently, I have some thoughts on whether or not I should train myself to rehair my bow, since I am starting to feel that it would be more convenient for me to be able to do so myself, saving myself the time of going to my luthier, which is quite a distance from my place. Do you think this is possible by self-learning? And do I need a lot of tools? Hope I do not damage my bows too. Thanks in advance for any advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted October 20, 1998 Report Share Posted October 20, 1998 : Recently, I have some thoughts on whether or not I should train myself to rehair my bow, since I am starting to feel that it would be more convenient for me to be able to do so myself, saving myself the time of going to my luthier, which is quite a distance from my place. Do you think this is possible by self-learning? And do I need a lot of tools? Hope I do not damage my bows too. Thanks in advance for any advice. Andrew, The best advise I can give you is to pray to the Bow Fairy. I work in a multi - instrument repair shop ( a large one) and do the string repairs . Rehairing bows can change a good day bad. It is simply not worth the agony you can experience. Unless you rehair every few days it is a skill that can slip away relatively quickly. The Bow Fairy has never answered my prayers yet - I come in to work and the bows still are not done. Is your bow a student line or an expensive one - if you are determined to do such a repair I suggest you read a book on rehairing by Harry Wake . I think the title is Bow Rehairing. It is well written and illustrated. Good luck, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts