Removing wire wrap from french bow

ole Jason · #1 02-09-2010, 01:04 PM

I recently got a cheap Yita snakewood bow and the wire wrapping is very loose and trying to unravel on it's own. It's my understanding that the wire is usually glued to the stick but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

I wouldn't be comfortable trying to reglue it myself and I'm not inclined to pay to have it fixed or pay for shipping back to china. Would there be any adverse effect to just taking the wrap off completely? I've been told that the wrap does contribute to balancing the stick but would that be the case on a cheap bow like this?

On the plus side the bow actually feels great and pulls a very powerful sound from my bass. Other than the wrap I'm pretty impressed with what I got.

Bill Bentgen · #2 02-09-2010, 01:18 PM

French or German?

If it's a French bow, depending on how you hold it, it might serve a useful purpose.

I have removed the wrap from all of my German bows. The wrapping wasn't glued on, but wrapped like you would wrap the eyes on a fishing pole, with the loose end pulled under the wrapping by a loop from the other end.

ole Jason · #3 02-09-2010, 02:33 PM

It's a french bow. On this bow my index finger does rest on the wrap. That's why this unraveling is so annoying and also why I'm a little concerned about removing it altogether.

Bill Bentgen · #4 02-09-2010, 03:37 PM

If it's not glued in such a way that it will remove varnish if you take it off, take it off.

Phil Rowan · #5 02-09-2010, 09:28 PM

At a recent re-hair, my bow guy glued the wire wrap back on mine (was just a little loose, not as bad the wrap on yours sounds).. wish I knew what kind of glue he used, but maybe someone will chime in. If you need some weight on the frog end (regardless of the wrap coming off or not), just scotch tape a nickel to the bottom of the frog where the mother of pearl is. I did this on my bow and it feels and plays even better having slightly more weight on the frog end.

bassrome · #6 02-10-2010, 02:51 PM

Removing the wire will alter the balance of the bow. If it was properly balanced, removing the wire might make it feel more tip heavy. Wire is typically wrapped over itself when it's started and then soldered near the frog. It should not be glued but sometimes people will put a dab or two of CA glue where it's coming loose. The stick should not be varnished but french polished. A good luthier should be able to take care of it.

Cheers,
Jack
www.jdhillmusic.com

sjd007 · #7 02-10-2010, 05:50 PM

I have a nice german (french style) bow that was likely wrapped at some stage, but when I bought it it didn't have it. I was gong to get it done "at some stage" but to be honest I like it how it is. Looks bohemian.

I'd whip the wire off, and if you find it intolerable like that then get it redone. The bow may behave a little differently, but whether that is a good or bad thing is more your preference.

My bow, zees one, eet ees naked yes?

LouisF · #8 02-10-2010, 11:14 PM

You might try getting one of those latex "tube" grips that F. Rabbath recommends and just put it over the wrapping (or where the wrapping was if you decide to take it off) I think Slava Pub sells them (site of the late George Vance)

Louis

Phil Rowan · #9 02-11-2010, 06:18 AM

This is also a good place for rubber tubing: http://www.mcmaster.com/#5234K261
$1.50/ft

Korus Bows · #10 02-13-2010, 07:15 AM

The winding serves two major purposes. First, it adds to the weight and balance of the bow. Second, it protects the bow from wear and tear from your fingers (depending on how you hold the bow). Removing the winding will make it tip heavy which will change the way it plays.

The winding is tightly wound onto the stick and then soldered toward the end, just under the thumb leather. It shouldn’t be glued. I have used CA glue to keep from unraveling, but never to glue the entire winding on.

www.korusbows.com