Can someone please tell me the different measurements in length of the different sized bows - both German and French?

Also, the difference between white horsehair, black horsehair and nylon? Is one type superior to another?

Finally, I heard somewhere that you don't need to rosin black horsehair - is this true!?

Many MANY thanks!

I can't comment definitively on the length of bows, but here's a thread that goes into it a little:

bow length (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=31919)

As far as hair goes, most will tell you that black hair "grabs" the string better, but white hair will offer a more refined tone. A lot of players ask for a mix of the two.

Stay away from the synthetic hair if you can.

And yes, you will need rosin for black hair.

Hope this helps.

A mix of black and white hair (for obvious reasons) is called salt & pepper.