At Atlanta Violins we are not just Bow Restorers, but have assumed the responsibility of Bow Curators.

Spanish Moorish Art from the 9th century recorded the use of bows of various forms. Italy, France and Germany had their own regional ways of making bows, which extended from the 15th century till the mid 18th century. By the early 18th century variances on regional making traditions had blended enough that made the differences hardly noticeable. It was not until an illiterate clock maker apprentice François Xavier Tourte (1748-1836) standardized the dimensions and weight of a bow as well as the logarithmic curve and taper of the stick. Tourte is to the bow as Stradivari is to the violin.

The modern bow stick is made out of Pernambuco (Caesalpina Equinata, one of 13 known species of Pau-brasil or Brasil-Wood). Horse hair (White Mongolian Stallion is preferable) is used to dress the stick. Fossilized Mammoth Tusk, Bone, Ivory, Gold, Nickel, Silver, Plastic and Ebony for the Bow Tip, Whalebone and similar materials are used for grips and balance. The hair is kept in place by trapping the hair with maple plugs. The hair is spread at the frog’s ferrule with a willow wedge. No Glue should ever be used to fasten the hair, as it may damage the frog and head mortises.

In the past 5 years the IPCI (International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative) has made the world aware of the increasing abuse of pau-brasil, particularly pernambuco. Unskilled and uneducated tree cutters along with clearing of the forest for roads and crops have depleted the supply of real pernambuco (Caesalpina Equinata) for bow making. There are other pau-brasil-like trees in Asia other parts of the Americas and Africa that have been used for bow making, but only pernambuco (Caesalpina Equinata) has shown the properties needed for bow making. Brasil-Wood and specifically Pernambuco are the only species from the Brazil’s Mata Atlantica habitat.

Our shop only buys bows from makers who claim to have legal access to Pernambuco and Brasil-Wood. We selects bows based on performance properties such as: Weight, Balance, proper Camber and Playability. Each bow is tested for springiness, density, strength and workmanship before purchase.

There are over 50 steps in rehairing a bow. Bow redressing or rehairing should consist of reconditioning of the stick, cutting new plugs and spreader, polishing metal fittings and redressing with unbleached natural Mongolian Stallion horse hair. Hair wears out, so we recommend having your bow redressed in Summer (Humid Season) and Winter (Dry Season) or about every six months.

When coming to our shop you will be educated by professionals in how to select a bow to suit your needs within your budget. Whether you need a Singing Bow, a Brightening Bow, a Darkening Bow, a Power Stroke Bow or any variance in between, we have a bow for you.

Bow Rehair Rates:

• $ 45 for Violin and Viola
• $ 50 for Cello
• $ 55 for Contrabass
• $ 5 DISCOUNT is given when you bring your bow back to us within 6 months.