Bass and Violin Bow Break Repairs | Bow Stick Crack and Head Repair Techniques

This bass bow had several small breaks along the stick that weakened the structure but could still be repaired. The repair began by working glue into each crack and compressing the stick tightly while the glue cured so the fractures would close properly. After the stick was stabilized, the surface was smoothed and the finish touched up to restore its appearance. To provide additional reinforcement, the repaired area was wrapped with clear material, with both ends tucked neatly under several turns of the wrap. The wrap was then gently shrunk so it tightened firmly around the stick, creating a compact and durable reinforcement. Once the structural work was complete, the bow was rehaired and returned to playing condition.

Bass Bow Stick Repair Steps

• Work glue into the cracks: Carefully apply glue into all visible fractures to ensure full penetration throughout the damaged areas.
• Wrap the stick tightly: Compress the repaired section with tight wrapping to bring the cracks fully back together while the glue cures.
• Apply localized clamping pressure: Add a clamp at the most weakened area to provide additional reinforcement during curing.
• Smooth the stick surface: Clean and level the repaired area to restore a consistent feel along the bow.
• Restore the finish: Add color and touch up the surface so the repair blends visually with the original stick.
• Apply a clear reinforcement wrap: Wrap the repaired section with clear material, tucking both ends under approximately fifteen turns so no loose ends remain.
• Shrink the wrap: Apply gentle heat to shrink the wrap so it tightens firmly around the stick and forms a compact reinforcement.
• Rehair the bow: Install new bow hair to return the bow to proper playing condition.

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This bow had a smaller break than the previous example, but the damage was actually more severe due to its location along the stick. The repair required stabilizing the fracture while adding reinforcement without significantly increasing weight or altering the playing characteristics. A tight thread wrap combined with glue provided both structural support and a clean, durable finish.

Minor Bow Stick Break Repair Steps

• Glue and tightly wrap the break: Apply glue to the fracture and wrap the area firmly with thread to compress and stabilize the joint.
• Allow the repair to dry: Once cured, lightly clean and smooth the stick to prepare for reinforcement.
• Apply protective wrap: Add a glued clear wrap over the repair to provide additional strength and protection.
• Secure the ends: Tuck both ends of the wrap neatly so no knot or raised area remains.
• Heat and shrink: Apply gentle heat to shrink and tighten the wrap, creating a compact and durable reinforcement.

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Here is another bow where it is broken near the tip. In this case the break didn't go all the way through. The frist step is making sure nothing is stuck in the break. Then glue and wrap the bow tightly. Before the glue dries you need to make sure it is straight and that the camber is correct. Then after it's cleaned up, it's wrapped with clear so that the wood shows through the wrapping.

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This is a bass bow where the break near the head is at a very obtuse angle. My first thought was to discard this bow because it's not worth grafting the crack together and it was too short of a break to simply glue and wrap it. Then after a month or so, I changed my mind and decided to save it. Here are the steps.

1. Drill a hole on the head side of the crack, then screw and glue it.
2. Cut the head off and taper the end a little.
3. Drill a hole that's correctly aligned and slightly larger than the stainless screw.
4. Glue the crack and the screw together and wrap and adjust a little to make sure it's straight and the camber is correct.
5. Smooth out stick.
6. Form some vulcanized fiber to the exact shape of the bow. Feather the edges similar to the way you fit a leather grip.
7. Glue the vulcanized fiber around the crack.
8. Make the fiber a little darker so it's closer to the bow's color.
9. Wrap the stick a little bit longer than the crack, but not as long as the fiber wrap

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A violin bow with a long break that was missing some wood near the silver wrapping. I wrapped it a little longer than normal because I wanted the wrapping to stop at the silver. When I was gluing it together it was bent so I needed to clamp it straight while the glue was drying.

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Here is a bow where the head was broken off and I repaired it about 15 years ago.

Just recently the stick cracked in a new place before the head and somehow some cloth fibers most likely from the case were jammed into the crack. I tried to get all of the fibers out of the crack and then glued it and wrapped the crack.

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