bow hair shelf life

Kylebass · #1 01-02-2007, 06:59 PM

What's the shelf life of bow hair? A friend gave me some brown horse hair about six months ago and I was wondering if it will still be ok. It's been in a plastic bag all this time and no one has touched it. Thanks.

JimGullen · #2 01-05-2007, 08:23 AM

Greetings!

It's hard to say just how long the hair will last. Hair should be stored in the dark (sunlight speeds it's degradation) with a little cedar to keep the bugs away.

If the hair was fresh when you got it and you stored it this way, it's probably fine.

You can check by taking one strand, wrap it around your index fingers and slowly pull, you should feel significant "give" or stretch before the strand breaks. If it's brittle and snaps right away, it's not worth using to rehair.

Hope this helps and best regards!
Jim

Kylebass · #3 01-08-2007, 07:59 AM

Thanks for the reply!

**Basschair** · #4 01-08-2007, 08:55 PM

Hey Kyle,

If I remember, I can ask Lynn Hannings tomorrow, as I happen to be in her bow work seminar at the moment...will report back.

**Basschair** · #5 01-09-2007, 02:32 PM

Asked Lynn about it today, and Jim is right on in his reply (quoted below). The only thing to add is that you want to keep it dust free if you can. Otherwise, it can last up to a few years if properly cared for. Just make sure to test it before using it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimGullen

Greetings!

It's hard to say just how long the hair will last. Hair should be stored in the dark (sunlight speeds it's degradation) with a little cedar to keep the bugs away.

If the hair was fresh when you got it and you stored it this way, it's probably fine.

You can check by taking one strand, wrap it around your index fingers and slowly pull, you should feel significant "give" or stretch before the strand breaks. If it's brittle and snaps right away, it's not worth using to rehair.

Hope this helps and best regards!
Jim

Kylebass · #6 01-09-2007, 05:40 PM

Thanks for checking. It's really good bow hair that an old teacher gets from Canada. Its good to know that it will last a while.

bassist1962 · #7 01-09-2007, 05:55 PM

This has me wondering now about my bow. It was rehaired 30 years ago, but kept in the case, which was stored in a closet, for the better part of that time (up until the last six months). I know the obvious would be to get it rehaired (plan on it), but it doesn't seem to be doing any worse than what I would expect as far as breakage, and tone. Then again, I am a beginner at this, but I need some objective opinions. Should I put it away until a rehair is possible, or carry on and get it within the next few months as planned?

billyfalconer · #8 01-10-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist1962

This has me wondering now about my bow. It was rehaired 30 years ago, but kept in the case, which was stored in a closet, for the better part of that time...

Here's something to obsess about: http://www.johnson-inst.com/Bitten%20By%20Bug.htm

bassist1962 · #9 01-10-2007, 06:17 PM

Yes, The case is around the same age as the bass. I need to dig it out and check it.

JimGullen · #10 01-11-2007, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basschair

Asked Lynn about it today, and Jim is right on in his reply.

I'm glad I remembered accurately what Lynn taught me last summer!

Enjoy the class, I really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back this summer. If you think of it, say "Hi" to Lynn for me.

Best regards!

Jim

JimGullen · #11 01-11-2007, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist1962

Then again, I am a beginner at this, but I need some objective opinions. Should I put it away until a rehair is possible, or carry on and get it within the next few months as planned?

Greetings!

Your caution is appropriate in this instance. A bow can be damaged by incorrect hair length. Do the following checks, and if they all come out OK, I would not hesitate to use the bow.

1. Is the hair too short? Can you relieve all tension from the hair by loosening the frog? If you can't, the hair can pull the camber out of the stick. Since the bow has been out of sight for so long, I would get it to a luther if the hair can't be loosend. In most cases, a qualified bowmaker can put the camber back into the bow. If it's been stored with loose hair all that time go on to the next check.

2. Is the hair too long? Do you need to tighten the screw (pull the frog back) all the way to get any tension at all on the hair? If this is the case, get the bow rehaired. Having hair that is too long, and trying to tighten it to playing tension, can at best strip the eyelet (easy fix) and at worst damage the mortise and/or stick (complex fix). If you can get the hair to playing tension with out pulling the frog back all the way, go on to the next check.

3.Is the ribbon still even? If more hairs have broken on one side of the ribbon than the other, it can pull the bow out of alignment, this is not a good way to play a bow (and worse if the hair can't be loosened...it's always pulling the tip left or right!). When the hair is loose, make sure the stick is "straight". Sight down the top of the stick (frog towards the floor), the stick should not curve left or right as you sight to the tip. If this is true tighten the hair to playing tension (or just a tad more) and sight again. If the stick is still straight, you should not run any risk of hurting the bow with the hair that's on it. If the bow curves under either loose or tight hair, get it looked at by a qualified bow maker. If the stick is not straight, it can be straightened. If it's only not straight with tension on the hair, it needs a rehair.

Hope this helps and best regards!

Jim

**Basschair** · #12 01-11-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimGullen

I'm glad I remembered accurately what Lynn taught me last summer!

Enjoy the class, I really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back this summer. If you think of it, say "Hi" to Lynn for me.

Best regards!

Jim

Will do Jim, and I'll see you at the summer class, as I'm definitely going. The dates are up and people are already signing up, so don't wait too long!