1 year, 11 months ago
via violinquestions.com
Which is better, violin bows with horse hair or synthetic strings?
I can remember watching a show on PBS that said that violin bows are made with horse hair from the tail. I was under the assumption that all bows were. Now I see some that say the are made with synthetic materials.
Which one of these provides the best sound? Are natural strings better than synthetic ones, or does this just depend? Which is cheaper?
Which one of these provides the best sound? Are natural strings better than synthetic ones, or does this just depend? Which is cheaper?
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M$1 Answer
Quality Bows are always real horse hair, and of course cost more. Synthetic materials are cheap and sound like it. You cannot get synthetic "string" materials on a quality bow.
Here is a quote from on web site on the subject:
"The bow consists of a wooden part with horsehair stretched from one end to the other. Yes, violin bow makers use actual hair from horses to create their products. However, cheaper bows may use nylon or synthetic hair."
http://jksviolins.com/playing-violin/how-to-hold-a-violin-bow/
For one thing, the horse hair holds the rosin longer, and the sound on the strings leaves no comparison at all.
Another quote:
"A bow maker or luthier typically uses 150 hairs for the bows for violin family instruments. Inexpensive bows often use nylon or synthetic hair."
http://www.theviolinsite.com/violin_bows/index.html
Here is an interesting article:
http://www.johnsonstring.com/horse.htm
Here is a quote from on web site on the subject:
"The bow consists of a wooden part with horsehair stretched from one end to the other. Yes, violin bow makers use actual hair from horses to create their products. However, cheaper bows may use nylon or synthetic hair."
http://jksviolins.com/playing-violin/how-to-hold-a-violin-bow/
For one thing, the horse hair holds the rosin longer, and the sound on the strings leaves no comparison at all.
Another quote:
"A bow maker or luthier typically uses 150 hairs for the bows for violin family instruments. Inexpensive bows often use nylon or synthetic hair."
http://www.theviolinsite.com/violin_bows/index.html
Here is an interesting article:
http://www.johnsonstring.com/horse.htm
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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