broken tip

[Stan Haskins]

The tip of my bow broke off at rehearsal tonight (the white part which is glued right next to the hair). I t just "came off" when I took the bow out of the case. It still plays OK, and it's going to be a while before I can bring it to someone for a repair (and needed rehair).

Is there any reason why I shouldn't keep playing it in the meantime?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[jimmyduded]

no clue, but sorry to hear about that

[shostkontrabass]

It should be fine. The tips of bows are designed to break off when enough pressure is put on them so that small mishaps don't completely damage the bow. There shouldn't be any problem with playing with it, although a repair would be good eventually.

[Basschair]

Yes and no.

The tip adds a bit of thickness to the head vertically, thereby creating slight depth to the mortise. The plug holding that end of the hair in could begin to slip. I can't think of a risk to the bow itself, but you may have the hair come flying out . Okay, maybe not that dramatic, but still.

Shostkontrabass is right: the tip gives some protection to the wood at the head, and it's a fairly easy fix. Keep in mind that while playing without the tip, you have lost that layer of protection. A simple drop may chip off part of the beak.

Be careful, and get it fixed when you can.