Handmade bows in the French tradition
Have you ever had the eyelet strip or have the button become difficult to turn on your bow? I freaked the first time I experienced this as a student, fearing that something might be catastrophically broken. Almost in tears, it came as comforting news that the screw and eyelet is designed to have a service life and meant to be replaced over time.
The following outlines the procedure for a headspline which reinforces a broken head with a thin strip of pernambuco inserted in the opposite direction of the grain in the stick. This type of repair when executed well can last indefinitely and restore many, if not all, the playing characteristics of the bow
The following is the process I take to make most of my cutters. Here I describe the making of a cutter to form the nipples on the end of the stick for the button seat on. Also, a little info about available lathes.
When adding a winding to a bow, bow makers don't just put on whatever we think looks nice. There are several considerations that each material presents including, weight, balance, sound, and feel. Gold / Silver / Nickel Wire Metal wire can be obtained in different gauges but I mostly use 32 gauge which measures about …
I wanted to highlight some of the eclectic and unique tools that I use for bow making. Making bows combines skills and tools from woodworking, jewelry making, and machining. It is difficult to find tools that accommodate the small scale and level of detail we work to, so a number of tools we make or modify ourselves.
I have been working with a few customers by mail lately and I figured a number of other musicians do the same, especially those who don’t live near a shop. The following is basically the same simple instructions for packaging and shipping a bow that I give my customers.
Check out the video of this process at the end of the post! The old tip plate is removed before a new one is fit. Heat is used to weaken the bond of the old tip plate and liner material and then carefully sheared off with a knife. In this video you will notice how …
Check out the video of the process at the end of this post! Sheets of sterling silver are marked out with calipers to slightly oversized dimensions. The flat section is measured out about 2 mm wider to give the ferrule tangs to allow handling with pliers. The final 1 mm or so of fitting the …
How often to rehair a bow is really a factor of the numbers of hours the hair has been used, the type of repertoire being played, and the number of exposures to climate changes. The grip of the hair and quality of sound deteriorate so gradually that it usually goes unperceived until the hair has …
It is extremely important to find a quality bow technician for your bow. Someone who is dedicated to maintaining the value, originality, and reliability of your equipment. Whether it is something as seemingly simple and routine as a rehair to a more involved tip plate replacement, it is important not to economize on quality work. …
Continue reading "The importance of finding a quality bow technician"
AD Bows, LLC 