Basic vs. Professional Bow Rehair: What’s the Difference?

In our violin shop, we offer two bow rehair options: a basic rehair and a professional rehair. Below is a quick summary of the difference.

What Is a Basic Bow Rehair?

I so often hear that a bow isn't worth the cost of a rehair. However, in our consumer society, I take pride in working in a craft that values old objects and restores rather than discards. A basic bow rehair is a simple, functional service designed to make a bow playable again.

I use a more economical grade of horsehair (still from a reputable supplier), which keeps the cost down. It is literally only changing out the hair in the bow, with no other cleaning or maintenance. The workmanship and quality of the ribbon of hair is still my professional quality, but I have stripped it down to the bare minimum work to get a bow functional again. 

This option is best for student or low-cost bows that retail for less than $100-200, or if you just want to get a bow playing again to see if it's worth additional investment.

What Is a Professional Bow Rehair?

A professional bow rehair not only refers to the quality of workmanship, but also the fact that professional level players will get what they expect from a high-end shop. I personally tested multiple grades of hair over several months—rehairing my own bow every few weeks—to choose the hair I now use. The additional cost of this rehair indicates not only the price difference for high-quality hair, but also includes the following services for your bow:

• Full cleaning and French polish of the bow stick

• Polishing of metal parts

• Lubrication of adjuster screw and pearl slide

• Eucalyptus oil application to deter bow mites

Think of this as a day at the spa for your bow, or like taking your car in for a tune-up. For any player who is regularly playing, this is the ideal option. I'm proud to keep my prices significantly lower than competition, even for this premier service. I did so by optimizing my own rehair procedure and passing the savings on to you. (See article here: www.kitsapviolins.com/post/improving-my-violin-bow-rehairing-with-lean-manufacturing-process-timings)

Customized Requests

Please notify us when dropping off your bow if you have specific requests. While I use standard hair amounts for violin, viola, cello, and bass, I can adjust hair quantity if you prefer more or less.

I typically charge the hair with rosin upon completion, but if you have a specific rosin you like and don't want it mixed with an unknown rosin, I can return it without any rosin.

If you are interested in synthetic hair for a vegan option, I have finally found one that will work decently. Only available for professional rehairs.

Some players request uneven hair distribution (more on the playing side), but I generally don’t recommend this, as over time it can affect the camber. 

When Should You Rehair a Bow?

A common question is how often a bow should be rehaired. The answer depends on how much you play, the climate you live in, and the condition of the hair itself.

You should consider a rehair if:

• You don't remember the last time the bow was rehaired

• The bow is missing a noticeable amount of hair

• The hair no longer holds rosin well

• The bow no longer tightens or loosens properly

That last point is often related to humidity. Bow hair naturally expands and contracts with seasonal moisture changes. In very humid conditions, the hair can become too long and the bow may not tighten fully. In very dry conditions, the hair can shrink and become overly tight even when loosened.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we're fortunate to have relatively moderate and consistent humidity compared to many parts of the country. In areas with more extreme seasonal swings, many players and shops recommend rehairs roughly twice a year—traditionally around Easter and Thanksgiving—as humidity changes are occurring.

Need a Bow Rehair?

I offer violin, viola, cello, and bass bow rehairs for players throughout Kitsap County and the Greater Seattle and Puget Sound area. Please contact me if you are interested in shipping your bow for a rehair. I can guide you through packaging the bow for safe transit. While you are responsible for shipping to me, and I charge additional for return shipping, you may still find it highly cost-effective for the quality of rehair you receive.