How to Rehair a Violin Bow (Common Mistakes, Tips, Tricks) - Landi Sheng (HD Tutorial) 

I’ve been rehairing bows for 35 years. I agree with most of his approach, especially the major choices like starting at the tip. Every step in the process of rehairing a bow has dozens of ways of doing it, it’s interesting to see how others do the work. A few of the big mistakes I see from time to time. Putting the “old hair” at the frog end. As the horse tail grows, the hair degrades, that hair is thinner, make sure to put the hair that grew just before it was cut off the horse at the frog end. The Chinese made bows when being rehaired for the first time all seemed to have the hair and plugs glued in, not just a little glue, but really saturated, it’s really a pain to have to carve out the glue, hair and wood. I do not glue in the plugs, but you must glue in the spread wedge, or they fall out. Getting the hair length correct is one of the trickiest parts of the job. Bows vary greatly in their stiffness and amount of camber. I make the hair longer in autumn in anticipation of cold dry weather, and shorter in the spring for the humid months. The only way to learn to get this right is rehairing a lot of different bows. When I was learning, the accept rule was you have to rehair 100 bows before you really understand rehairing. I’ve done thousands and still am frustrated at times.

Agreed, wonderful video with excellent tips. The background music starts very softly but then becomes so loud I couldn’t understand the instructions. Pls note for future videos - no music or very subtle music at the most

我通常用炒过菜的电炉的余热来加热并拉直弓毛。效果也很好。（I usually use the residual heat of the electric stove I've sautéed the vegetables to heat and straighten the bow hairs. The effect is also very good.）

Thank you so very much for this. I have an extra, old, cheap bow that was not put together correctly so after using it a while the hair was too long and would not tighten. From your video I was able to take it apart, tighten and remove a small amount of hair and put it back together. Not exactly good as new, but good enough for a spare working cheap bow. Very appreciated.

Excellent instructions. Very clear. As a beginner I will probably take my bow to have it re-haired unless it is too expensive, and then I will consider trying it myself after re-watching your instructions and making careful notes.

Absolutely love this guy. Someone who takes pride in his work. Not a fan of the background music being that loud but great video.. I tip my hat to you Sir

Excellent video, I’ll try to rehair myself but slight heating process may burn of or loosen up hair. Anyway it is nice video.

I love this video! It has been so helpful to me. I build nyckelharpa bows, and while there are notable differences in construction, the hairing process is mostly the same. I agree, starting with the head of the bow is the way to go!

I've never done this before, I see at 9:53 you mark the length. What did you use as a guide there? The end of the frog? Past it? I don't know how to do that part

Brilliant video, fantastic I am about to learn how to rehair my own bows and the advice and instructions in this video is brilliant so I will learn the right way. Love the violin music!

Excellent instruction. Thank you! 🙏

Great Video and great advice. Thank you

Many thanks! I have extreme confidence you are Master violin bow rehair-er technician. Please save for further re study. Excellant! Looking forward to more instruction from you Sir.! Heart felt thanks!😅

This guy is a master in his craft!

Thank you very much! Very good video .

Just got my first violin and found you. Everything about it is so fascinating!!

Excellent! A very interesting tutorial. Thank you

Great presentation!

Incredible shop!

Cool video! Thanks!

What a beautiful shop.

Thank you!

you are the best

Great instruction... Backgrounds noice music too load.. Could not hear you in the end though..

It was actually a really good lesson. However, I suggest making the background music even louder next time. This way, I will have no clue what he is saying. Seriously, he was very good at explaining and showing, but after half way through, I had no idea what he was saying.

Very informative. Background Music is too loud and distracting.

Many thanks for showing this procedure. But please could you show how the wedge wood fits on the handle side. The essential part of that is missing 15:07.

Lovely video, thank you! As most say, music is nice but to loud in the end! Missing a few steps, but very helpful! Could you do how is the shape of the wedges? Also, the storing you used to tie the hair, was it nylon, or can you use cotton?

Anyway, is Landi Sheng is anyway related to the famous Chinese violinist Sheng Zhongguo?

Excelente, será posible saber en donde compra la crin. Gracias

Mr. Wang Thank you very much . What kind glue used for holding the head hair ?. Thank you

Hi, Mr Wang, your video is very helpful. Would you tell where you marked the length of the hair with the pencil for the violin flog? I couldn't see it clearly.

The little white clip on the end of the bow broke off when I removed the old hair and plug. What now? Can I use a hair dryer to dry the hair (it's made to dry hair, right?)?

Landi, please assist me with something. When I tie the 2 simple knots on the hair, they do not hold if I push them around with my thumb. What is it that you do that makes these 2 knots hold the hair securely? I've been trying all last night and this morning to figure this out, but I cannot get it. Thank you.

Hello Sir. What type of wire for connect hair do you use?

great video I like your rehairing jig do you have plans for it available

Have I seen you on instrument carnage ?

May I ask is there any reliable online shop selling materials for making the bow Wedges ?? Thanks

What do you do with one string broken from the bow?

I purchased a violin and bow one month ago. Something feels different now. There is less grip. Is it possible i need a repair already. I have been playing every second day since i got it. And a few times i have played for 3 hours in a day. Maybe i just need new strings?? Thanks.

I just thought i was gonna save a few bucks and rehair my own bow but nvm the pliers and tools cost more

Glue? Please don't. Many pieces of other information. When marking the hair, where?

Nylon 69

The camera moves too much. KEEP IT STILL

Background music should be switched off please.

Try stopping horse training abuse!

Mr Wang I am rehairing my own bow. I hv difficulties in combing the hair straight n parallel. Hairs are swelling along the length. Would you give me some clue? Thanks