Double Bass bow making?

[1st Bass]

I would add my voice to those suggesting a Lynn Hannings class. She is a great teacher (no wasted time, no wasted breath--"Here's how you do this; now get back to your bench and try it..."), friendly, relaxed, but absolutely down to business.

her website:
http://www.lahbows.com

She will start you on Ipe, bloodwood, or the like, and avoid pernambuco for all the reasons given above.

By the way, Osage "Orange" has fruits that look like green oranges, but are inedible. The "Osage" part comes from the American tribe of that name. It is also called Hedge-apple, and was once used for hedges and fences, I am told.

Chet Bishop

 

[Jason Sypher]

A few years ago when I was searching for my own bow my teacher suggested I take a bowmaking course. I began looking into it but never actually signed up. I always think of taking the course and seeing if it's something I might like to pursue on the side. I guess my fear would be that I can't really do anything "on the side", it just doesn't fit my personality. When I get into something I just pour myself into it and I'm still pouring myself into playing the upright (and just beginning to feel like I'm getting somewhere!). Still, one day in the future I just might take a course and see what it's all about.

 

[jimmyduded]

It couldnt hurt, Ive learned almost every trade technique there is(metal, wood, carbon fiber, fiberglassing, etc) and yet I want nothing to do with a trade school or such, I could see myself working some office job due to the fact I want to have fun doing all the things I do(making things etc) and if it was my job although it would be fun I would have no time really for my own things and would have deadlines for other people, Unless someone sells their shop fully stocked with tools and such(would be like that once in a lifetime oppertunity for me) then I dont think I would be able to get off the ground

 

[shostkontrabass]

On the pernambuco topic:
It's definitely endangered, and not necessarily by bowmakers. Swaths of land in Brazil are being cleared for development, for farming, and for agriculture in general of "cash crops." There is a huge push going on by Greenpeace (I believe) to have it classified as near extinct so that it can't be cut at all. Ironically, this will devalue the tree to the point where there's no impetus to keep it around for locals in Brazil. Bowmakers still use Pernambuco because it is a great wood to use. People learning how to make bows should not be using pernambuco, IMO (as well as in others' opinions).

Thanks for confirming this.

 

[forester]

i really appriceate it man, if you ever need a rehair or something let me know

mostly on the top and a little on the back... sides are ok
the osage is on its' way.

 

[Silversorcerer]

It couldnt hurt, Ive learned almost every trade technique there is(metal, wood, carbon fiber, fiberglassing, etc) and yet I want nothing to do with a trade school or such, I could see myself working some office job due to the fact I want to have fun doing all the things I do(making things etc) and if it was my job although it would be fun I would have no time really for my own things and would have deadlines for other people, Unless someone sells their shop fully stocked with tools and such(would be like that once in a lifetime oppertunity for me) then I dont think I would be able to get off the ground

My approach to tools was to just get the ones I needed for a certain task, and not buy too many at once. After a few different kinds of repairs, I'm beginning to have a decent rack of tools, but then many of the tools I use I had before I started working on instruments. I think you have an interesting idea to start with making bows. It definitely takes up less space and the tool / work table investment is lower. Do take the time to go to a professional workshop. It will make what you are doing more rewarding and save you a great deal of time.

 

[jimmyduded]

my dad told me this weekend we are building me a workshop, so im very excited, 18 foot bench, phone and electricity and all the creture comforts haha, its going to be great, ill take pictures when done

 

[Dr Rod]

As for other woods...

Wamara
Massaranduba (beefwood or bulletwood)
Osage Orange
Bloodwood (satine)
Amourette (unfigured snakewood...less expensive than figured, and more common)
Ipe (pau d'arco)
Swartzia (I just read about this and it's similar physical/mechanical properties to pernambuco)

Bloodwood is probably the easiest to find (in my experience). Every Woodcraft store I've ever been to has had bloodwood lumber. Get it with straight grain and it's good stuff.

Perhaps someone might be able to help.
I have been looking for a web resource where I can find out physical and mechanical properties of different woods. Once in a while you will find a site that has some info about some trees but nothing that covers a decent number of wood types.

Thanks

 

[jimmyduded]

google each individual one and you will get a wealth of info on them, i cant think of one that has all of them

 

[Bob Branstetter]

. I think you have an interesting idea to start with making bows. It definitely takes up less space and the tool / work table investment is lower.

I have two friends who are excellent bowmakers and they have as much equipment and space as the average violin maker. Making a bow is far more than just the stick. A milling machine and a metal lathe come in real handy when you are making your frogs and buttons from scratch.

 

[jimmyduded]

for now, ill cut down on the lathe haha

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Hey Rod, this site has a pretty broad sampling of wood properties ie hardwoods and softwoods by Genus & Species.

Link Removed

 

[Dr Rod]

Hey Rod, this site has a pretty broad sampling of wood properties ie hardwoods and softwoods by Genus & Species.

Link Removed

Thanks a lot brother Jake

 

[Dr Rod]

There are no books that I know of in print that are any good. There were a couple of very good bow making books, but they are now long out of print. They sell for very big bucks on the very rare occasions when one actually becomes available on the open market.

Hey Bob, would you mind telling us anyway the titles. I might be able to find them in a specialized library.

 

[Bob Branstetter]

Hey Bob, would you mind telling us anyway the titles. I might be able to find them in a specialized library.

Henderson, Frank. How to Make a Violin Bow. Murray Publishing Co., 1977.

Retford, William. Bows and Bow Makers. The Strad, 1964.

Roda, Joseph. Bows for Musical Instruments of the Violin Family. W. Lewis, 1959.



The Henderson book is especially interesting because it focuses on making bows using some of the specialized machinery used by many makers today rather than the traditional mostly hand tool methods of Retford or Roda.

 

[billybass]

Jimmyduded looks like a character on American Chopper

 

[Dr Rod]

Henderson, Frank. How to Make a Violin Bow. Murray Publishing Co., 1977.

Retford, William. Bows and Bow Makers. The Strad, 1964.

Roda, Joseph. Bows for Musical Instruments of the Violin Family. W. Lewis, 1959.



The Henderson book is especially interesting because it focuses on making bows using some of the specialized machinery used by many makers today rather than the traditional mostly hand tool methods of Retford or Roda.

Thanks a million !!