Rehairing a Violin Bow and new Silver Winding and Leather

[@zuriellemanseguiao4272]

Brett and Eddy tried... hahahahaha. Btw, that was really cool and satisfying to watch. Thanks for making these videos :)

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hi, thank you for the feedback... I really appreciate it

[@herr_barus]

'I did have 2set help me with rehairing bows, but they tried' Well, they need to practice.

[@daanvanhoof2477]

I would say that they need to practice 40 hours a day'

[@xandraxandra1437]

Twoset roasted. :) They are better at playing violin than work with their hands, but we love them never less.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

@@xandraxandra1437 definitely. Twoset are great 🙂

[@hanamiya8008]

It's fascinating! I rewatch the one in twoset's channel many times, now I get the olaf-only version, i guess i'm gonna rewatch it many times too!

[@right408]

This is so awesome and terrifying at the same time

[@johngeddes7894]

Many many times

[@jiaqiong3053]

I was unconsciously holding my breath as if it was my own bow getting rehaired! Great video :)

[@nicoleanneveracruz7838]

If you told me you're making wands, I wont doubt it even for a second.

[@yukizhang4981]

I had never thought watching instrument-making videos would be so much fun hehehe but now I love watching such delicate jobs being done, your videos are awesome!

[@NMranchhand]

A ten thousand dollar bow! God, am I glad I learned to play the trumpet.

[@gio9789]

it's incredible how much work gets into something like thath just mo make it sound. humans are so incredible

[@Matt_IsaBird]

Love your videos! You're very helpful and you got me into violin making. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@LuisFernandoMataPsC]

I got my first violin, I got it used and Inpayd a joke for it. So no I can't be picky about it. Any way part of the low cost was that the bow was busted. I was able to save said bow and make it playable thanks to your instruction in the video with two set, so Thank you very much.

[@giangvu7902]

Wow respect! I didn't know rehairing a bow was so complicated. Thank you so much for these great videos.

[@gugan_1678]

Me playing violin for 17 years: We have to wipe down our bows!?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Haha... it's like me driving... you have to come to a complete stop at a stop sign? :D

[@LoHaLc]

I've been binge watching these videos for a couple days, especially before sleeping. You have a soothing voice and explain things so nicely. Thank you so much for letting us get a glimpse of your craft!😭💛

[@richardflor5643]

Now that I'm retired and pretty handy with woodworking, after having recently refurbished my fingerboard--which turned out really nice!--next up is learning to rehair my own bows. And one of the most pressing questions I have is how do you determine the proper length of hair so that the bow hair tension is correct (ie, it can be loosened sufficiently and tightened).

[@bryanrasmussen]

I’m eager to learn more about how to do this myself 🙏🏻

[@vonsteuben2457]

I imagine the rehairing process goes a little faster without Brett and Eddy ;) I'm still a little confused about how the screw works...where does it have contact with the hair to tighten it? Great video, as always

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Good question... there is a little eyelet underneath the frog that the screw screws into... that makes the frog move along the stick... Looks like I have to lake a "how the bow works" video soon

[@vonsteuben2457]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Good to know, thanks!

[@papadean.]

Lol😂 just nuts n bolts

[@detonationlurks]

So much craftsmanship and precision! Its mind-boggling and very inspirational, thank you for making these videos.

[@DariusGiann]

Great work Olaf! I love your content and hope to see more videos in the future! Stay safe through this pandemic and wish you luck!

[@bohuslavpavlyshynets]

Now you play definitely better than before. Ling Ling 40urs

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks. I have a few to practice on.

[@brattingprincess]

Your videos are so enjoyable! Thank you for teaching us how to treat our instruments!

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Thank you! Instrument care is something I have always been passionate about. It's great to have a wonderful platform like KZbin to share the information on.

[@CreationTribe]

I've always wondered what the silver winding was for ... Great video :) Thank you!

[@Masivigny]

Nice video once again :), love to see the insights of how a luthier works! It's great to see that among the ethereal world of music, there is also so much down to earth, but very very high skilled craftmanship involved. Some steps look really simple, but you emphasize that you have to be "really careful", that probably makes for a lot of chances to make a silly mistake; What would you say was one of your more stupid mistakes (like as you said towards the end; cutting off the entire rehair whilst fitting the spreader wedge).

[@johngeddes7894]

Yes, take it

[@momo601]

that was super interesting... and I'm guilty of not always whiping off my bow T_T I'll try to remember doing it from now on every time :D

[@YassenJL]

Thanks for the videos, mate. Played violin for nearly 10 years back in my youth but ended up being too lazy to actually turn it into a professional aspiration. Now I'm at a point where I just examine the notes of music I like, trying to bring back some intermediate level of skills and muscle memory. Seeing the mechanics behind the instrument in details has in a strange way reinvigorated my desire to practice. :)

[@munirahaziz6261]

Your videos are so calming to watch

[@angiecellist05]

I find watching your videos really interesting. I just watched the video where you fixed a crack in a cello and as a cellist it was really cool to see the inside of the instrument. Thank you for the video.

[@NatJediMASTER]

I actually like how you do spreader wedges. Different from how I was taught.

[@redlaur]

Nice Work!!

[@user-xk9ji8vn7d]

Love your videos!!!!! 😍❤️❤️❤️

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Thank you 🙂

[@dotteddice2358]

Love your videos and how you explain things. 💖

[@dragonite-boi]

this was super informative, thank you for the great video!

[@ferrinsonfranco26]

Hello, excellent video and thank you for transmitting your knowledge .... I would like to know how you adjust the tension on the side where you put more hair (minute 5:52)

[@Louise-qk2po]

Olaf, that was absalutely fascinating, and thank you for posting. I have purchased a string lifter so that I can purchase uncut bridges and have a practice at filing and chiseling bridges into shape, then testing them out I am not a luthier, far from it!!! I started learning to play violin 4 months ago and what an experience it has been😁

[@johngeddes7894]

Yes many times

[@papadean.]

You crack me up when you say a 10 thousand dollar bow, LOL. But I always love your videos keep up the great work! You are not too bad a violinist either👍

[@moltorubato4608]

Hi Olaf! I have a question, do you play the violin or any other musical instruments? Have a good day! : )

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Yes, I have played the violin since I was 8... I'm much better at violin making and restoration though 🙂

[@jakehardiment8613]

Hey Olaf, thanks for this great insight. The silver winding starts in the small hole to anchor it - what happens with the other end?

[@seto_bento]

Even tho I don’t play the violin it is interesting to see the table of a luthier because I have never went to a luthier before (I play the classical guitar and I heard there are luthiers for that too)

[@justinlim7074]

I commented this before, but what is the music you used in the intro, sorry if I seem like spamming but it sounds like a nice piece.

[@OlegSutyrin]

Pretty sure it's J.S. Bach, but don't know which composition exactly...

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

@Dang Nguyen thank you for helping me out 🙂

[@LouisEmery]

The bows I buy cost less than the labor you put into this one!! My first bow which I still have is made of fiberglass (1975 from China). It doesn't have the silver wire. ;)

[@chuckglass8849]

Kudos! I enjoy watching you work. Thanks for sharing your expertise. I'm hoping to purchase a better bow, what would you recommend? I'm in the States.

[@joshuam2154]

Keep up the great vids!

[@windspear5]

So Olaf, what's your opinion on carbon fiber bows? Also have you ever rehaired one?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

I used to hate them because I was used to pernambucco bows, but then I tried some really good ones... so now I recommend trying them along with more traditional bows when you choose a new one. I found a wonderful bow maker that makes my Flueriel brand bows... they're fantastic value. Rehairing is similar to timber bows. The only thing I'm not sure about is how long carbon fibre bows will last. We know that pernambucco can last well over 100 years, but we just don't know about carbon fibre yet, because they haven't been around for long enough. Time will tell

[@terry1965]

Thanks Olaf how many hairs are normally in a hank of hair

[@AndrewAndyMcSherry]

Could you explain the glue you use for bows? It seems like some commercial glue instead of the usual hide glue you use on the instrument itself.

[@Keith1210]

Wow, a lot more complicated than I thought it would be.

[@wsljoan]

Love your videos Olaf. I have a quick question: you explained that the silver is there to protect the bow, but I'm wondering why silver is the choice of material and not simply extend the leather, or choose another material. Thank you :)

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Thank you 🙂 There are some bows with a thinner leather that is longer and then a second leather, where the bow leather normally sits... so it can be done. Silver is more durable and can last 50 to 100 years, whereas leather will only last a few years. Also the silver looks nicer.

[@wsljoan]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Thanks Olaf! That makes sense :)

[@zaraak323i]

Aren't there also gold or whalebone wrappings? I know they're less common and I'm not sure if it's whalebone, but some other wrapping.

[@Deluge4000]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker If durability, looks and ballance are the desired characteristics, instead of using silver (plated?) wire, why not use stainless, which is still shiney and doesn't tarnish?

[@johngeddes7894]

Go ahead ask

[@anahatamelodeon]

I have a friend near Cambridge (UK) who makes violins for a living, and when I asked him to rehair my cello bow he said he didn't do bows as it was a specialist job, and referred me to a local bowmaker who did nothing else. I guess luthiers are few and far between in Australia and have to have a wider portfolio of skills.

[@paulshields4780]

Your friend is very correct, there are many points in this rehair that a bowmaker would be horrified by.

[@mellissadalby1402]

COOL! I have always been curious about how that is done. Did you count the hiars you are binding into the bow or just eye-ball it? What kind of thread do you use to wrap the ends before melting the rosin into them? Is that a special comb you use to comb the hairs?

[@cab711]

I've always wondered what the metal wire was for, didn't think of wear. Thanks Olaf. Maybe consider playing some soft violin music in the background of the videos to break up the silent moments but you may need some silky editing skills for this?

[@mimi098.27]

I haven’t done rehair my violin since I was grade 1😕 it’s almost 7 years now

[@raghav6151]

Hey Olaf, i wanted to know your expert opinion on what could one do if there is a terrible wolf on their violin high on the G string? (c# in my case) No one has addressed the issue on youtube clearly as how to fix it, and i have come across some video in which they stick a magnet on either side of the top plate to 'eliminate' the wolf tone and vibration, it does look disgusting to me, but would you recommend that? Is there some tweaks we can do by ourself to lessen the wolf? Also does having a wolf mean that its a cheaper/ damaged violin? Thank you.

[@felixhesse4096]

you can have a wolf note eliminator which stopes that horrible note

[@raghav6151]

@@felixhesse4096 Yes it does, but it does dampen the resonance of the string to some extent too. I was trying to see for a permanent and sustainable solution

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hi, A wolf note is usually caused by a fairly thin top-plate... normally on a deeper sounding instrument. It is usually very close to the note that the volume of the instrument creates. When the two notes interact, the sound waves overlap causing the "woahwoah" sound. Wolf note eliminaters dampen the sound slightly and can work. But ideally violins shouldn't have wolf notes. Dealing with a wolf on a violin can be a challenge.

[@muzician338]

Hi Olaf - does the comb have to be anything special or will the fine-tooth side of a clean common hair comb work?

[@teasokolovska8099]

Hey Olaf I have a question. Sometimes when I play violin, my string rings even tho i haven’t placed a finger on that string. I don’t understand why it does that is it to the quality of the strings or something else?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hi Tea, it could be a bump o the fingerboard... that would make it sound like an open string... also fingernails can have a similar effect, but are terrible for the string.

[@teasokolovska8099]

Ask Olaf the Violinmaker ok thank you very much for your reply

[@kodygrieve4972]

@@teasokolovska8099 what you may be experiencing is "resonance" on other strings due to playing a similar note on another string. for example, if you play an A on the D string, your open A string should resonate (as long as your fingers arent touching the A string at all) because the natural frequency of the A string matches the forced frequency of the D string due to placing a finger down on it. Furthermore, in some concert recordings you may see the soloist "vibrating" their 3rd finger on the D string when playing an open G string. this is due to the resonant frequencies i was talking about before matching. they do it to give the open G string a little somethin' special. an example of this is the opening to bruchs violin concerto. Long story short, open strings ringing like you described before has nothing to do with the string quality. if anything, it just means youre playing that note in tune!

[@MaxMorgan-t5y]

Nice

[@martaivette4145]

First time I see your videos. Can you please do another video for rehairing a violin bow since I couldn't see what you were doing, camara is far away and not really showing anything. Thank you.

[@lu0844]

Hi Olaf!! Could you recommend what to clean the stick of the bow with (oil or something) to remove the rosin residue ? I live in Mexico, 🇲🇽otherwise I'd visit you to get my violin bow rehaired for sure!! 🤓

[@platynowa]

I recently read an article Violinist Stefan Jackiw’s Bow Breaks During Violin Concerto with Bournemouth Symphony - he hopes to have this 30k USD bow repaired after it broke - could you make a video on how you would repair something like that? It broke close to the tip - there is a recording of this happening.

[@miguelsugo490]

Hi Olaf! How do you tie the end of the silver winding coil just before the wrap of paper with glue?

[@snowyminnesota6028]

Do you cut new wedges for every rehair?

[@joyfulnoise2477]

Hi Olaf, I don't know if you'll see this over a year later, but do you have any suggestions on how to remove wedges that have been glued in? It looks like hide glue so I wonder if I can heat with a hair dryer til it comes loose, or any other suggestions?

[@johngeddes7894]

Take it

[@Monica-rv7go]

What type of leather is on that bow?

[@infinitepawer]

May I ask what will happen if we didn't wet the hair in the process ?? Also I see you put the tip inside the water together with the hair, I thought the wet like that will damage the tip and wedge ?? Also how to measure the correct length for the frog side ?? Thanks first

[@viktorhylander7087]

Hi Olaf! I recently got a small crack in my violin bow, what should i do?

[@mattildahubbardo]

I purchased a violin and bow one month ago. Something feels different now. There is less grip. Is it possible i need a repair already. I have been playing every second day since i got it. And a few times i have played for 3 hours in a day. Maybe i just need new strings?? Thanks.

[@mynameisalexanderhamilton2862]

Hi Olaf! Just curious, do also do apprenticeship for violin restoration/ making?

[@blackfriedtofu4387]

Hi Olaf!

[@michaelblaney4461]

You could probably make some nice fishing poles :)

[@Adrian_AdamViolonDiGerma-tm3nq]

Can I use stainless or nickel wire? How thick is it?

[@danwalker2308]

Hi olaf, I was wondering if you could make a video about choosing a shoulder rest and chin rest for your violin! I personally have been playing on my current instrument for a few years, and use a Bon Musica shoulder rest (one of those almost hooked over ones) and a fairly low chinrest that connects at the middle, but find that if I play anything for a few minutes the shoulder rest moves off to one side and I have to adjust it. I've experimented with a lot of chin rests and shoulder rests; is there any way to easily find a combination that works for you?

[@sherrylhenning5630]

QUESTION: The humidity is about to drop to its normal 12% or lower for the summer. I know about the widget for my violin, but is there anything I can do for my poor little bow? Its like The Outback here during the summer. NOT kidding! I live where we have a Fire Season. I put widgets in all my wooden instruments once the humidity is going to stay low for a few months, but my bows still get tortured. I've got a violin, cello, double bass. Thanks!

[@kimsyoutubechannel874]

Thank you Prof Olaf! I just had a bow rehaired and there's no slack at all. I can play without tightening the bow. The guy that did the rehair is a self-taught luthier, and advertises rehairs on his site (he's the only one within two hours of us). It seems to me that hair is too tight, but when I mentioned it he just said "no". Is it too tight? I there a way to loosen the hair, or do I need to schlep the two hours and pay a trained luthier to rehair it again? Thank you for your channel!!

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

That should not happen. He just rehaired it too short. If the bow is kept tight for too long, it can warp or loose tension. So definitely take it back or go to another violinmaker. If you are super worried, you can always unscrew the bow screw a d take the frog off to release tension. Just make sure that the hair doesn't twist and get crossed over. Good luck 🤞

[@kimsyoutubechannel874]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Thank you, Olaf. This is a nice bow that my dear teacher loaned me, so I've detached the frog (and have the bow carefully stowed) and will see if he'll fix it, or I'll take it to another luthier. Whew - thanks again SO very much. It's paradise in the middle of nowhere, if you can stand it!

[@anikaxmeisel]

How often should I rehair my bow?

[@majidmoghaddasi]

What are Differences between violin and cello bows?

[@crabjoe]

If a bow is rarely used because it's a backup bow, should it be re-haired every so many years? If so, how many years between re-hairs? Thank you

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Yes definitely... Bow hair can stay ok for 4 to 5 years. you should be able to tell if you try it out after a while.

[@snowyminnesota6028]

How do you clean a bow, Olaf? Not saying I'd dare, at home, but if it's a matter of the right materials and patience, well, maybe?

[@protogamer245]

My bow hand tends to sweat, and this green gunk builds up on the silver wrapping. How can I prevent this, and should I be worried about how much its deteriorating the wrapping? My old bow's wrapping practically fell apart from corrosion.

[@Deluge4000]

That winding is made from silver plated copper wire. The silver plating is often only a few molecules thin, and wears off very quickly once the bow sees it's first use. The green gunk is copper verdigris. Once the winding and wrapping are gone, your hands will be deteriorating the wood of the bow itself. That's not good. You'll need to get it rewound with pure silver wire (can be hard to find), or you may be able to use stainless steel yourself.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

But how did you secure the silver wire?

[@paspan188]

Do you make (Upright/double) bass?

[@balkabagicubingakademi2648]

Can you make a video about cleaning violin and bow?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

I did 🙂 Quite recently

[@sabrinalopez6076]

question :) my bows before seemed to get dark towards the like frog part (idrk) but I just wanted to know why and how to prevent or like remove it cuz I dont wanna destroy my bow :)

[@autroll2369]

Hey I thought I had an original Vincent painting of Daisy's

[@cassandraloki2846]

Is that a white sacrilegious cello in the background ?

[@辛子勻]

Where your shop is? Maybe I can visit there sometime.😆

[@razza140]

Hello Olaf i recognise Eddy Chen i saw all of his videos with my son 12 years old who play violin. Why did he stopped his videos ? Yours are very specifics and very interesting thank you. My son has a German violin on location 4/4 since few months. I'll contact you for his next instrument where is your shop? 👍 I live in Montpellier France

[@lp8153]

You can find him on TwoSet Violin's channel.

[@susanbryant6516]

Olaf’s business is in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Eddy is half of Twoset Violin, and is now too busy to make those great instructional videos like he used to.

[@viragbogdan1957]

Hey. I just got a violin and no sound is coming out. I have roasin to but nothing. Should is by anather bow?

[@thelionneverroars1570]

There might not enough rosin on the hair if it's fresh hair. There needs to be a consistent amount on the hair for it to pull the string enough to make a sound. A couple strokes of rosin on a new bow isn't going have enough to make the strings sing.

[@viragbogdan1957]

@@thelionneverroars1570 thank you! But the problem is that i roasind the bow all day. And nithing. Maby the roasin is bad? The bow is i thigt it up it's turns ro the other way. I hope you ander stand because my einglish is not that good

[@bgclarinet]

Why do you stretch the hair while it dries?

[@ix_mscz]

A stick can be a bow?

[@naufalauliyatonoudin9972]

hi olaf. 2:16 is that a glue or something?

[@naufalauliyatonoudin9972]

@Regan RN yeah. but what kind of glue tho?

[@naufalauliyatonoudin9972]

@Regan RN thanks

[@jacobrancourt2508]

You had mentioned that how's could lose thousands of dollars in value at one point. That's something I hadn't really considered having that kind of value being a guitarist who loses his picks into the aether regularly. Is there some quality about older bows that makes them more valuable inherently beyond that their status as antiques?

[@zaraak323i]

I know that pernambuco is a lot less common these days, in lengths that are of any use to bowmakers. I believe it's also a protected species. There are some other reasons that I'm not sure about.

[@johngeddes7894]

Constantly many times

[@Nuswodahs]

What made you want to work on violin repairs and restorations?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

It's something I wanted to do since I was a kid. Growing with my father who has been a violinmaker since the 1950's and lots of beautiful music was a huge inspiration.

[@michael_koski]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Could you make a video on thaaaat? I'd love to hear more about this! - Ana

[@emilyberry360]

Olaf, do you play the violin? If so, can you play us something?

[@TheNanze]

It was hard to see what you did at the tip.

[@pieterkotze1007]

Hey olaf :)

[@preciousjewelamor]

0:53 in captions: *Brunette man*

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Haha... thanks for the heads up 😀

[@papadean.]

thank you for the like and I just have to say in reply: Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! :)

[@lordneeko]

Too bad I've not been able to find a luthier within 75 miles of me. I've chosen to go with P&H bows since they are modular and I can rehair it myself. Might not be the best bow, but my student self cannot tell the difference.

[@rigelsprague7504]

I have a bow getting rehaired and is made of pernambuco wood.

[@rigelsprague7504]

Also it is in California

[@Killerbee4712]

Olaf needs to make a violin conspiracy video