So Im getting my bow rehaired this week, but havent decided whether I should go with bleached or unbleached white hair.

How coarse is unbleached hair? Thin steel strings sound awful with a scratchy bow so is unbleached going to be fine enough or should I go with bleached hair?

bleached vs. unbleached white hair is not about coarseness. Unbleached hair has more stretch and longevity to it. Bleached hair has very little stretch to it and (most importantly) it is brittle. Your re-hair will last longer with unbleached hair.

IF I were forced to come up with a reason why bleached hair was coarser, I would say it would be because it's been 1) urinated on (mare vs stallion) and the pH of the urine has degraded it to the point where the scales/barbs are more aggressive or 2) the darker white hair is thicker, therefore larger scales/barbs (and because it is darker, the hair co feels the need to bleach it to make it look like something it is not).

If you desire coarseness...get light silver or a salt & pepper blend that is more on the white side (it should be hand blended anyway, just communicate with the re-hairer about your desires).

So what is the advantage or disadvantage in bleached white hair? Is it basically a "cheaper" version of authentic naturally white hair?

I don't think any hair is absolutely, perfectly white. From what I know, bleaching is simply a cosmetic way to achieve white hairs. Unfortunately, as Eric pointed out, it tends to make the hair more brittle and easier to break.

So for a mellow solo tone, should I pick unbleached over bleached?

So what is the advantage or disadvantage in bleached white hair? Is it basically a "cheaper" version of authentic naturally white hair?yes, the lower grades are cheaper. Bleaching cheap hair is the equivalent of dying a poor quality ebony fingerboard.

So for a mellow solo tone, should I pick unbleached over bleached?Always pick unbleached if given the choice. Better value, better playing.

Thanks, that gives me some info for when I go to the bowmaker.

Havent been to this guy before, though Im sure youre all honest folk :D