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Instruction, Information & Inspiration for Players of Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass & Fiddle | Mar. 8, 2010

Where Does Bow Hair Come From?

Myths about bow hair abound, so, for definitive information, Strings turned to expert British horsehair dresser Michael T. Sowden, who has prepared bow hair since the 1950s.

 “I would only be too pleased to answer your questions as I know this subject can get really out of hand and blown up out of all proportion,” Sowden responds to my inquiry.

“It does not really matter where the hair comes from as long as it’s of good quality, white, clean, strong, and well dressed. Many years ago, Argentina and its neighboring states in South America were our main sources of supply. Today that production has changed a great deal with China estimated to produce approximately 70 percent of the world’s usage. In England back in the 1950s, the factory where I was trained as a horse hair dresser was very famous for the quality of its bow hair, which was every bit as good as hair from other parts of the world. With 85 percent of it coming from the local area of Yorkshire—not what you would call a cold climate—I suppose that knocks the cold climate theory on the head up to point.

“Horses are certainly not raised for their hair. If they were, the hair from them would cost many thousands of dollars per pound for the simple reason that only a very few of the many thousands of hairs that make up just one single tail, are good enough to be classed as bow hair. So you can see that raising horses for their hair would be totally impracticable and anyone claiming this must belong to another planet altogether.”

Now you know.

By Erin Shrader

Let us demystify more myths about violins, violas, cellos, basses, and fiddles for you in the pages of Strings magazine. Every month, the experts cover the history of bowed-stringed instruments as well as all the latest developments in the violin making industry. Expand your knowledge of your favorite instrument with a subscription to the magazine designed especially for you. Order it now, and save 58% off the cover price.

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