I just got my viola out for a practice, went to wind the bow hair up and it all snapped off!!! I haven't got another bow so I'll have to get it rehaired quickly. Why would this happen??
Jess

Sounds like the hair has come out of the wedge at the top. If it's a cheap bow, rehairing will be uneconomic.

Liz

Sounds like you'll be practising pizzicato in the meantime then...

One other possibility...this did happen to Viohazard once after we'd been away for a month or two over summer, leaving the violin and bow undisturbed in a rather old case...insects had chomped their way through the NEW bowhair (i.e. it wasn't so heavily rosined up at the ends as old bow-hair, so it was tastier, apparently). Nothing apparent when he picked up the bow, but the minute he applied pressure, it all fell out .

P.S. Probably wouldn't happen in a cooler, drier climate, but since then, I make sure there is a sachet of insect repellant powder in the case.

I recently had a violin bow rehaired and it cost just above £30. I mentioned it somewhere else, I think it was £32. To help you decide if rehairing is worth it.

Good heavens! I'd never have thought of that one!

Liz

It could just be worn or over-tight. It's happened to me a couple of times and it's really annoying! Hope you can get your bow re-haired soon!

I do need to get a new bow anyway, any recommendations?
Jess

How much do you want to spend?

Liz

Not a lot, slightly skint at the moment! What are carbon fibre bows like?

Wonderful. Get a Glasser.

Liz