Michael Sowden, who has been in the business for some 40+ years and is probably the best-known supplier of bow hair, has stated that 95% or 98% of hair comes from dead horses which are killed for meat and other products. He has also said that it takes about 5 horse tails to get enough good hair for a violin bow.Oct 30, 2006
Are all violin bows made out of horsehair?
The bow hair is made of a hank of horsehair. A single violin bow will use between 160 and 180 individual hairs. These hairs are all attached next to each to form a ribbon. Unusually thick hairs and kinked hairs are removed so that only straight hairs are used.
How much does a horsehair violin bow cost?
This item 2 Hanks 31-32 Inch Bow Horse Hair Mongolian,natural White 2 Hanks Mongolian Horse Bow Hair for Violin, Professional Violin Bow Hair Made of Genuine, 29.5 Inch Natural White
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Customer Rating 4.4 out of 5 stars (100) 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)
Price $1499 $809
Sold By Park10 Innovation KAIY
What is the best material for a violin bow?
Pernambuco wood is traditionally seen as the world's best quality wood for bow-making. For the best pernambuco bows, the heartwood of the Pernambuco tree is used.
Why is the bow made of horse hair?
Horsehair absorbs water quickly and this can affect your bow considerably. In different temperature and humidity conditions the hair can react in different ways. At P&H we always use high quality unbleached horsehair to ensure the best sound for our bows.Aug 21, 2019
Are horses killed for bow hair?
Most horsehair comes from slaughtered horses. Hair for bows comes from tails of horses in cold climates, and is sorted by size. It comes primarily from stallions and costs $150–$400 per pound because of the sorting needed to extract long hairs. Mongolia produces 900 tons of horsehair per year.
Can you use human hair for a violin bow?
You couldn't. Human hair has a different structure on the surface and is weaker and thinner than horse hair. There is a reason that good bow hair comes from stallions in cold climates (i.e.Siberian). The hair is long and thick (relatively), strong, and has a coarse surface for the rosin.
Can you string a bow with human hair?
Our results are preliminary, but the answer appears to be yes. Compared to a normal bowstring, a bowstring with human hair has the same arrow velocity leaving the bow. Same energy delivered to the target. ... After Gunnar's bowstring is cut, the saga tells us (Brennu-Njáls saga, ch.Apr 23, 2017
What can I use for a violin bow?
In order to achieve this, the bow is rubbed with rosin. Rosin is an amber-coloured tree resin, which is usually obtained from pine, spruce pine, spruce or larch. By noble additives then an optimized rosin is created. The violin bow is stringed with horsehair.
What hair is used for violin?
Bow hair is made from horse hair The bow hair is made of a hank of horsehair. A single violin bow will use between 160 and 180 individual hairs. These hairs are all attached next to each to form a ribbon. Unusually thick hairs and kinked hairs are removed so that only straight hairs are used.
What happens if you touch violin bow hair?
Don't touch the hair. Once kids learn that the bow has horse hair in it everyone wants to touch it; don't allow it. The natural oils in the fingers will make dirt and oil stick and the bow will need a re-hair sooner than otherwise.Mar 17, 2016
What should you not touch on a violin?
- Tune first. ...
- Don't touch the bow hair. ...
- Avoid over-tuning the strings. ...
- Never over-tighten the bow. ...
- Always loosen the bow hair after playing. ...
- Stand (or sit) up straight. ...
- Have a pencil handy. ...
- Keep your instrument in its closed (and zipped!)
Is it OK to touch rosin?
Don't touch the hairs. Natural skin oils are bad for the bow hairs because it prevents the rosin from binding. ... This is to avoid creating grooves in the rosin that cause it to break before it's used entirely. Wipe off excess rosin on the bow stick and the strings after playing.