Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need a rehair?

Have you been playing on your bow for a year or more without a rehair? Then it's time! Sound is made through friction between the hair and the string. Imagine using the same piece of sandpaper for a year; you can do it, but your life will sure be a lot easier when you switch to a new piece! Over the course of a year, natural wear and oils inevitably cause the hair to lose its grip.

Bow hair also tends to get longer in the summer and shorter in the winter, reacting to changes in temperature and humidity. If you have trouble tightening your bow, stretched hair is most likely the culprit, and a rehair will fix it.

Finally, look at the hair at the frog. Are there hairs missing from the left or right side? If so, then get a rehair, as lopsided hair causes the stick to bend sideways! The bow needs a full, even ribbon of hair to get your instrument sounding its best, and to protect the stick.

What happens in a rehair?

First, all the old hair is removed.  Then, the frog is removed from the stick.  The wooden plugs holding in the hair are removed and discarded.  New wooden plugs are shaped to fit the bow, and new hair is installed. A good technician takes care that the hair is combed straight and that it is cut to just the right length. All rehairs include cleaning rosin and gunk off of the stick, polishing the silver parts, and lubricating the screw.

Do you do repairs on bows?

Yes. I offer replacements of tips, eyelets, leather grips, silver winding, and frog parts.