Double Bass proper bow tension

[bengreen]

Once the bow is tensioned the way you want, what's the wisdom on loosening it after each session? Or is it OK to leave it at full tension for everyday play? I have a carbon fiber Finale German bow. Thank you!

Take a look at some of your sagging old book shelves for your answer. You use heat to quickly camber a wooden bow but continuous force and time will do the trick too.

If you've been remiss in rehairing and there's not a lot of hair on the playing side, there's a good chance you'll develop a side bend in extended storage under tension, or worse, a twist. Recambering is scary enough to start with. You don't need additional complications.

Frankly I don't know much about carbon fiber fabrication or repair but all materials have their elastic limits beyond which come permanent deformation and then failure. Any engineering folks here?

 

[Chris K]

The hair on my German bow (as seen when placed on a string) has lower tension on the fingerboard side compared to the bridge side. Is that common-a problem?

 

[adarvas]

The hair on my German bow (as seen when placed on a string) has lower tension on the fingerboard side compared to the bridge side. Is that common-a problem?

That's either a bad re-hair job or your stick is not straight.

 

[MrSidecar]

If you don't loosen the bow, the hair stretches, eventually getting to the point where you can't tighten it.

+1 Most players I know loosen the hair whenever they pause practicing for more than 10 minutes max.
Best
Sidecar