So recently I noticed that my bow didn't seem to tighten as much as I would have liked (I tend to prefer a fairly tight bow when I play) but wasn't sure if I was just imagining things or what...in the past couple of days though I've tightened the screw all the way to the max and the hairs are barely tight enough to be more than a half centimeter off the wood. Is this a common issue? Does the bow simply need to be rehaired (it's less than a year old!). Or might this be a sign that I need to chuck it and get a new one? Figures this all comes to a head only a few days after moving to another country...I don't even know the local word for luthier!
Is it humid where you are now? (Jerusalem, I'm guessing.)
In any case, it's probably *because* you've moved to a different country, and therefore to a different climate. I would say the hairs have simply stretched, possibly down to humidity.
In any case, you need to get a luthier to look at it, but I'm guessing that it does mean you need to re-hair the thing.
Oh, I've also just realised that I'm assuming you've got a standard, wooden bow with normal bow hair, ie horse hair. Otherwise, I wouldn't have a clue.
Sounds like climate change may well be the culprit. A violin repairer may be able to adjust the length of the hair without replacing it. (If you can't find a translator, try miming "violin" and "broken.")
Do NOT try to extend the adjustment by, say, threading a stack of small washers onto the screw. You can split the end of the bow that way.
I'd agree big change in humidity is a major suspect.
The eye under the frog that runs on the screw in the slot in the stick (sounds like a song) as actually reaching the end of the slot is it? (Measuring where the frog stops, then unscrewing the screw until you can take the screw out, lifting off the frog, and mesuring the distances is one way to check.) If the eye isn't reaching the end of the slot, a worn thread that's going so far, then jamming is another possibility. The screw and eye are a very quick and easy replacement.
Adjustment of hair or re-hair sounds most likely though.
thanks all, I'll get it checked out. Incidentally I've taken the opportunity and increased my hebrew vocab as a result.
From what my in case humistat tells me, the humidity hasn't changed in any significant way, if anyting, Jerusalem is drier than Boston, but I have been travelling a lot in the past few months (Chicago, Orlando, Dallas, Boston, Jerusalem) so maybe all the different climates plus many hours in dry nasty airplanes has been wreaking havoc.
I must remember never to extend the adjustment with a stack of small washers. If only someone hadn't just implanted that handy tip in my mind. Oh for a brain delete key!
Bow issues
Bow issues
So recently I noticed that my bow didn't seem to tighten as much as I would have liked (I tend to prefer a fairly tight bow when I play) but wasn't sure if I was just imagining things or what...in the past couple of days though I've tightened the screw all the way to the max and the hairs are barely tight enough to be more than a half centimeter off the wood. Is this a common issue? Does the bow simply need to be rehaired (it's less than a year old!). Or might this be a sign that I need to chuck it and get a new one? Figures this all comes to a head only a few days after moving to another country...I don't even know the local word for luthier!
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by matan_fiddler
Re: Bow issues
Is it humid where you are now? (Jerusalem, I'm guessing.)
In any case, it's probably *because* you've moved to a different country, and therefore to a different climate. I would say the hairs have simply stretched, possibly down to humidity.
In any case, you need to get a luthier to look at it, but I'm guessing that it does mean you need to re-hair the thing.
Oh, I've also just realised that I'm assuming you've got a standard, wooden bow with normal bow hair, ie horse hair. Otherwise, I wouldn't have a clue.
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by benhall.1
Re: Bow issues
Sounds like climate change may well be the culprit. A violin repairer may be able to adjust the length of the hair without replacing it. (If you can't find a translator, try miming "violin" and "broken.")
Do NOT try to extend the adjustment by, say, threading a stack of small washers onto the screw. You can split the end of the bow that way.
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by mickray
Re: Bow issues
I'd agree big change in humidity is a major suspect.
The eye under the frog that runs on the screw in the slot in the stick (sounds like a song) as actually reaching the end of the slot is it? (Measuring where the frog stops, then unscrewing the screw until you can take the screw out, lifting off the frog, and mesuring the distances is one way to check.) If the eye isn't reaching the end of the slot, a worn thread that's going so far, then jamming is another possibility. The screw and eye are a very quick and easy replacement.
Adjustment of hair or re-hair sounds most likely though.
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by TomB-R
Re: Bow issues
ever notice that your hair is longer after you've shampooed?
# Posted on September 11th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Bow issues
No, but there does seem to be less of it. Maybe re-hairing is the way to go.
# Posted on September 11th 2007 by west-coaster
Re: Bow issues
thanks all, I'll get it checked out. Incidentally I've taken the opportunity and increased my hebrew vocab as a result.
From what my in case humistat tells me, the humidity hasn't changed in any significant way, if anyting, Jerusalem is drier than Boston, but I have been travelling a lot in the past few months (Chicago, Orlando, Dallas, Boston, Jerusalem) so maybe all the different climates plus many hours in dry nasty airplanes has been wreaking havoc.
# Posted on September 11th 2007 by matan_fiddler
Re: Bow issues
I must remember never to extend the adjustment with a stack of small washers. If only someone hadn't just implanted that handy tip in my mind. Oh for a brain delete key!
# Posted on September 12th 2007 by RichardB