Recambering, how does it affect performance?

[baroquecello]

I have a bow that has about half the curve I'd expect it to have. I was considering getting it recambered, but I'm wondering what that might or might not do to the performance of the bow. Does it influence bouncy-ness? Does it affect response? Or does it just affect the tension/camber ratio? Any experiences or rules of the thumb, even if they are not universal? 

[duane88]

It influences everything. Camber not only affects playability, but tone.

Also consider that there is always the danger of damage. One bow maker/repairer that I used to know suggested that it is when you break someone's bow recambering it, not if.

[M Alpert]

Yes, as @duane88 said, camber seems to affect bows' performance completely, in many ways.

There is a real danger of damage. On the other hand, careful inspection before applying heat, sensitivity during the cambering process, and I believe it is quite safe. If there are any knots, extreme grain runout, or possible repairs, it is better to avoid that area and settle for less than ideal camber.

I have recambered hundreds of bows, most often quite mildly, and players often notice big differences in performance. Otoh, some players have bows with strange camber quirks which they love and I won't touch. So...

I would say that in general, a good camber will definitely help the bow stay on the string, and make it easier to do the things good bows should do. It is hard to specify more than that.

One test that various good makers have suggested, is that when the bow is tensioned as much as you dare, it should go straight, so should be cambered so that it will do that. Sounds deceptively simple...

Get someone experienced to do it, if at all possible, or perhaps forget about it, depending how much you like the bow, as it is now. If you have been thinking about it, it is probably worth a try.

[Casey Jefferson]

I just acquired a bow that has less camber than what I had, the stick felt soft and more tension needed. But once it's under the right tension it plays wonderfully, so in that sense I have no desire to change the camber, apart from straightening which my previous bow under gone and the sound/power improved tremendously!

For me the rule of thumb is if it ain't broken don't fix it.