Rosin not sticking to bow hair
I use Melos dark rosin, and I have no issues on the three violin bows I have used.
But on my Glasser braided carbon viola bow the rosin just doesn't seem to want to stick. I rosined the bejeepers out of it this morning, and for the first few minutes all seemed well, but as I played on, it lost grip, and visually I could see that most of the rosin had gone from the hair.
Any helpful hints on getting the bow hair to be more amenable to getting rosined up? The bow is pretty much new. I've had it for 2-3 months, so I don't think it is a dirt buildup issue, etc.
Replies (9)
Rosin doesn't adhere to old harden rosin or to rosin at all. The softer the rosin the more hair cleaning you need to do. I use Olive rosin by Pirastro which is a soft rosin, and I need to do a hair alcohol bath every three months or sautille bowing is near impossible.
Long time ago a luthier in Europe showed me how to rosin the bow for the first time after it gets re-haired:
1. Wrap a small chunk of rosin in a paper (newspapers) and press it with a hammer until it becomes a fine powder.
2. Swipe the bow through the powder along the whole length
3. Remove the excessive rosin by tapping the bow.
After this, apply the rosin as you always do.
Or you can do like I did - the first time I accidentally dropped my rosin onto a concrete floor, a corner got bashed and chipped. The second time I dropped it, it shattered. I have lots of powder now.
This is not orthodox, but when I rosin new hair (not often) I use "liquid" rosin. Mine is labelled Schaller and I've had it for probably 20 years. It is simply an alcohol solution of rosin, which was popular among some fiddlers for a short time.
The foam applicator is long gone so I use a folded paper towel, put a little of the liquid on it and rub it lightly on the tightened hair. It dries quickly and makes the bow immediately useable, although I also add rosin from a cake.
I've tried powdered rosin (I was given a nice can of it once) with disappointing results, compared to the liquid, which DOES NOT glue the hairs together if not overdone.
How frustrating! I could give you suggestions about getting rosin to stick, but since you said you had no trouble with your other 3 bows, I think we have to assume it is the bow. I know it is fairly new, but it sounds like it needs a re-hair. That has been my same experience with bows that are due to be re-haired. I know it can be costly, but that is what I recommend. Ask the shop where you purchased it, because since it is fairly new it might be covered under some sort of warranty. Good Luck. Laura YMS
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June 17, 2013 at 06:06 PM · Well, Seraphim, since you last posted you tried cleaning the hair with alcohol and letting them dry completely.
After rosining up the bow again, it seemed to function much better.
I guess the hair must have been in less than ideal shape coming from the factory, as this bow has always had the non-stick issues.
After a goiod cleaning, it seems to be back on track.