What Are Violin Bows Made Of?

What are violin bows made of? What are the other components of a violin bow? What does it cost to repair a bow? These are all excellent questions that many beginner violinists ask themselves. We’ll do our best to answer all of the above and more.

What kind of wood are violin bows made of?

This is going to depend on the manufacturer and the price that they charge. Traditionally, violin bows are constructed using Pernambuco. Don’t be confused if you have heard Brazilwood— these are actually from the same tree.

The difference is that the Pernambuco wood is removed from the core of the tree. It is easier to work and shape and more durable. The sap layer of the tree is where you’ll find what is commonly known as Brazilwood.

Unfortunately, the tree itself is now on the endangered list, so its use is severely restricted. Rosewood has also been used but is likewise protected now. As a result, bowmakers have had to look elsewhere for materials to craft bows out of.

This has already lead to some innovative options, like carbon fiber and fiberglass or epoxy being used. It’s not surprising when you consider the history of violins – they have often been adapted over the centuries.

How much is a bow for a violin?

Depending on the material the bow was made from, expect to typically pay anywhere between $50 and $200. Some professional bows can even be worth more than the instrument!

As bows made out of Pernambuco become more difficult to come by, you can expect to pay more of a premium for them, even if they are well-used.

Click Here for Our Popular Guide on Violin Bows

Ultimately, there will come a time when your bow is not going to produce the kind of results that you want. With use, some or all of the hairs used may break. It is at these times that you will need to start considering whether to re-hair your bow or buy a new one.

As a good rule of thumb, the more expensive the bow, the more it makes sense to replace the hair. If you are using a cheaper quality bow, on the other hand, the cost of this procedure may easily outstrip the cost of buying a new piece altogether.

We hope this has covered all your questions regarding what violin bows are made of and considerations involved in their repair. If not, we’d love to hear your questions.

What are violin bow strings made of?

Of course, the wood for the bow itself is just a small part of the whole and plays a supporting role. It’s the hair that is strung across it that helps you produce music. While there are some bows that use synthetic string, horsehair is the traditional and best solution.

Can a violin bow be restrung?

Yes, a violin bow can be restrung, and in fact, should be restrung from time to time. How often this is to be done depends on how often you play, whether or not you break strings, etc.

What do you do when your violin bow string breaks?

In some instances, it might be possible to carry on playing regardless. This is because there are several strands of horsehair used in the making of a bow. It’s important to have your bow restrung as soon as possible after strings break, even if you can still use it.

The bow may become unbalanced if some of the strings have broken and it could become warped if you are not careful. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a backup bow to switch over to in a pinch.

Here are considerations to make when deciding whether or not to replace your string:

• How many hairs have broken? One is going to make little difference to the bow. If more have broken though, it could cause undue pressure on the structure of the bow.
• How much did the bow cost?
• How much will it cost to have the restringing done?

How much does it cost to re-hair a violin bow?

This may be where the rub lies for most people. Re-hairing will cost between $30 and $50 in the United States. Considering that you can often get a new bow for that price, restringing might not be regarded as worthwhile.

Generally speaking, though, if you have a high quality, expensive bow, it makes sense to re-hair it as necessary. If you’re working with a cheaper, student grade model, it might be more economical to buy a new one. You’ll need to weigh up your own personal circumstances and decide from there.