Getting Started,,

[jim mcauley]

How do you start ,,Re-Hairing Your Bow.
What do you need as in Tool's , What type of Bow Hairs,, And what dose one
Need to Know ?...

jim,,,,

[Elton]

I saw a picture of a re-hairing jig and made one. I measured the picture, then figured how long the hair must have been then converted it into true inches--ha. I start at the frog then leave about 1/4 inch past the tip. I used a pro the last time at the Fiddle Shop in Nashville--good job but no better than mine. Elton

[jim mcauley]

Thanks for this Info on that'' Jig That holds the Bow stick'' -- I am a skilled Turner in the Past
-- Long time ago - But I still know the Difference between ,, Cow's and Thou's -- lol..

I just may have a go at this --

THANKS AGAIN -- jim,

[fiddlinvet]

While this isn't an answer to your question, you can always give your bow to McKillop to rehair.....he does a good job, just make sure you mark the bow..... ;-)
I always got mine back (but then I told him, I wanted MINE back ;-) and he refrained from "lamping me because I was a woman" hahahaha) ...he is also good at putting a set back into the bow.
Andrea fiddlinvet

[jim mcauley]

Yes,, He did Manage to Destroy his Reputation a bit ,,, Although I always found him
A great Musician -- And an Excelling Graft's man --
jim,,,,

fiddlinvet said:

While this isn't an answer to your question, you can always give your bow to McKillop to rehair.....he does a good job, just make sure you mark the bow..... ;-)
I always got mine back (but then I told him, I wanted MINE back ;-) and he refrained from "lamping me because I was a woman" hahahaha) ...he is also good at putting a set back into the bow.
Andrea fiddlinvet

[Adam R Sweet]

I recommend reading HS Wake's Violin Bow Rehair & Repair shop manual before you get started. It will teach you just about everything you need to know about the process. It includes a plan for making your bow jig and a tools list.

As far as bow hair is concerned, we have the best http://luthiersupply.net. And yes, we ship anywhere in the world.

[fiddlinvet]

I can only agree with you...many's a time was he in my house for a tune.

[Harry Cook]

Hi all, My first post so gentle with me ;).
To start, get a bow holding jig (the best way) or one of those Black and Decker work stands that is a table that clamps together like a vise. For tools you will want a very small chisel (1/8") and a small gouge the same size. I wouldn't recommend power tools, the possibility of damage is too great. Now you will need some powdered rosin (which you can make yourself from rosin cake), an alcohol lamp and some wedging material (box wood is best but any soft wood will do) and some very small dia. wire. Next, you will want to know what the finished product should be like. Straight flat hair, tight fitting wedges etc., all of which can be found in lake's book. I would be glad to go further but, I was taught by an old time bluegrass fiddler (a Mass. hall of fame member) and, although I have had no complaints with my work, I am sure there are other members that know more than I do.
Also you will want the best hair you can find, you're saving on the job and, if done right , will last.

[jim mcauley]

Harry Cook
This is a good start for me -- How very Interesting -- MANY THANKS!
jim,,,,

[jim mcauley]

And I down at Jim McKillop's house - He was always very Friendly to me and any friend's
Who went with me -- At Fleadh's when playing on the street Solo ,, With a crowed around him
I would not even Notice you there,,,, People thought this Ignorant -- But now I feel, The Man
was just so into his own, Very Special Type of playing music,,, He could not see further than
his own very Musical Mind ,,, Lost in his own Space !!
jim,,
P.S. - fiddlinvet
Are you from Belfast You said in a Post = < he refrained from "lamping me because I was a woman" > ie/ - "lamping'' -- Is a term only the Townie's say around Here {LARNE} -- LOL..
jim,,



fiddlinvet said:

I can only agree with you...many's a time was he in my house for a tune.

[fiddlinvet]

jim
No I am not from Belfast , but played at Madden's manys a time years ago. And often at the Cross Keys, also played many times with Mary Mulholland at her house, (looooooooooooooong nights...the woman had unbelievable energy!!) and in a few sessions up there.
ACtually I quoted McKillop (He actually did say that to me when I said "And how do I know I am getting MY bows back?"...)
McKillop is a great player. Few people could actually join him, especially since he did play in all sorts of keys besides G D and A. Seamus Thompson and McKillop played a lot together because they could.
Unfortunately M's hearing is getting bad which is why often he sounds like he is not in tune (apparently cannot hear certain frequencies anymore.. a catastrophe.) I like McKillop, one has to take him as he is ...no flies on him lol (nor me).
(As for Belfast...I used to go up every week years ago to play with and /or listen to Leslie Bingham and Trevor and a bunch of others. And you and I met about 18 years ago at the housewarming party of a friend in Comber....)


jim mcauley said:

And I down at Jim McKillop's house - He was always very Friendly to me and any friend's
Who went with me -- At Fleadh's when playing on the street Solo ,, With a crowed around him
I would not even Notice you there..thought this Ignorant -- But now I feel, The Man
was just so into his own, Very Special Type of playing music,,, He could not see further than
his own very Musical Mind ,,, Lost in his own Space !!
jim,,
P.S. - fiddlinvet
Are you from Belfast You said in a Post = < he refrained from "lamping me because I was a woman" > ie/ - "lamping'' -- Is a term only the Townie's say around Here {LARNE} -- LOL..
jim,,



fiddlinvet said:

I can only agree with you...many's a time was he in my house for a tune.

[Simon Shaw]

hey everybody!! (in Dr Nicks voice)
Does anyone mind if I weigh in on the whole "home rehair question" subject? I'm a bowmaker (archetier) working in Paris and I have a couple of things I would like to add to all this if I may. I'll start by saying I actually strongly support the "do-it-yourself" approach to life...that being said however there are some things I'll just throw out there for your consideration. Rehairing bows isn't actually a simple process and it requires a lot of experience to do correctly. The main danger is probably damaging the bow itself which is really really easy to do if you don't know what you are doing. In the last week alone I saw 3 bows seriously damaged by incompetent rehairing including one that completely split the head/stick and reduced the value of a 10,000 euro bow by 70%....scary eh. Ok so you say "my bow's only worth a couple of hundred bucks"...so you save a few bucks on rehair and lose the bow itself. False economy. I was also horrified by the mention of clamping bows in workmates and stuff...NO. Absolutely NEVER ever clamp a bow...ever. You can crush the head or frog and crack the stick. I HAVE seen some jigs that position the bow for combing the hair etc but they don't exert pressure on it. All the wedges for both the frog and head should be installed by holding and supporting the head/frog with the fingers. There's also issues of the size of the block to hold the hair (too small and the hair won't hold..too large and you split the head or frog) and a lot of other stuff too. If people are interested I might try and take some pics of correct rehair procedures as the Paris shops do them to help the "Cause" here. I also would like to add that I know there are a variety of techniques to rehair a bow but some things are just basically not correct and are going to end in tragedy. The best overall thing is probably to befriend a bowmaker and get them show you how they do their rehair or take a short course. I hope all this isn't also going to get up anyones nose..just trying to help.

[Aitor]

Please take that pictures an explain more, here where I live are few bow reahaiers and almost any bowmakers, so pleas do that.