Bow Rehairing Prices | Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass Bow Rehair | Callier-Scollard Violin Shop

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How much does it cost to rehair a violin bow? Just $22 if you can leave the bow for one week or so. This allows me to schedule violin bow rehairs evenly throughout the week, which keeps the cost down for you. If you need a faster turnaround, I can rehair a bow sooner for an additional rush fee.

Bow rehairing is a skilled process that takes practice and consistency. I typically rehair three or more bows per day. The first step in a proper violin bow rehair is removing the old hair. Please do not cut the old hair out before bringing your bow to the shop. To remove the ferrule (ring) from the frog, the hair often needs to be pulled out carefully, sometimes one strand at a time. If you must cut the hair for any reason, please leave at least four inches of hair on each end of the bow.

Selecting the Correct Amount of Hair: Once the old plugs and wedge are removed, the next step in the bow rehairing process is selecting the correct amount of horsehair. A stiffer bow generally requires more hair for proper balance and response. I usually begin with approximately fifteen extra hairs and then, once the rehair is complete, remove individual hairs one at a time until the bow achieves the proper tension and playing balance.

Installing the Hair and Final Adjustment: I rehair bows starting at the frog because the strongest part of the hair should be positioned there, where most of the playing force is applied. After tying the correct knot length, the frog plug is installed and the wedge is carefully fitted. The hair is then combed and lightly dampened. Measuring the hair while slightly damp ensures consistent length regardless of ambient humidity. After tying off the tip end and replacing the tip plug, the hair is lightly dampened again, taking care not to wet the area near the wedge. If moisture wicks under the wedge, it can loosen and disturb the spread of the horsehair. The hair then dries for about an hour, allowing it to stretch and settle evenly before final adjustment.

Why Are My Violin Bow Rehair Prices So Reasonable?

• Consistent Pricing: I developed the habit years ago of keeping my bow rehair prices steady rather than raising them incrementally. Consistency has worked well for both me and my customers.
• Personal Workmanship: I perform every violin bow rehair myself. Because there are many precise steps in the process, I can pause to answer the phone or assist a customer and then return to the bench without losing continuity or quality.
• Experience from Volume: Rehairing a high number of bows gives me valuable insight. I regularly see the small mistakes that can occur in bow rehairs done elsewhere, which helps me continually refine my own technique.
• Very Low Return Rate: Nothing in craftsmanship is ever 100%, but issues are extremely rare; typically around one in a thousand rehairs,  and when something does arise, I take care of it promptly.

Click Here to see a more detailed list of the many steps required to rehair a bow.

Violin Bow Rehairs

• Violin Bow Rehairing is still $ 22 for one week service.

Viola Bow Rehairs

• Viola Bow Rehairing is $ 22 for one week service

Cello Bow Rehairs

• Cello Bow Rehairing is $ 25 for one week service

Bass Bow Rehairs

• German Bass Bow Rehairing is $ 40 for black horsehair, one week service
• French Bass Bow Rehairing is $ 40 for white horsehair, one week service

• Express service is extra depending on how soon you need the bow back.
• Same day bow reharing is available but by appointment only.
• Salt and pepper hair is $3 extra because it is hand mixed from pure white and pure black hair.