how to glue the silver tip of a bow

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Permalink Reply by James Harrison on November 3, 2009 at 4:28pm

If hide glue will not hold it on you might try and get a new tip. Im not sure about the accessibility of a violin shop in your area but you may be able to order one online from here in the states. International violin may be able to ship over there so I would check with them for any replacement parts.

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Permalink Reply by Josh Henry on November 8, 2009 at 6:38am

Silver (and gold) tips often come loose from the head of the bow due to expansion and contraction of the wood from humidity. For this reason, most tips like this are secured to the head with small pins in addition to glue. If this is a bow that you value, I would not attempt to repair (or replace) the tip yourself. There is a very fine bow maker/restorer named David Samuels that lives and works in Israel. I do not know the difficulty or politics of traveling there or sending your bow to him, but I would suggest that you get in contact with him through his website (http://samuelsbow.net). Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Erin Shrader on November 9, 2009 at 4:58pm

Hi Bettina,

I agree with what Josh has to say. His advice is good. If you can get it repaired by a knowledgeable maker, that's the best route. But if you can't get to a good repairer any time soon and need to keep using the bow, and it's not full of glue from the oud maker's attempt, AND it hasn't been bent or twisted, you may be able to glue it back in place with super glue until you can get it properly fixed. That way the tip will still protect the head. Super glue can be reversed, so you're not doing permanent damage. But it does run all over the place if you're not careful. Have the super glue solvent handy, too, if you can get it, and someone to un-stick your fingers if you get stuck.

If the tip is not all the way off, run a little glue along the edges, then hold it firmly in place for maybe 4 minutes. The glue will seep in, you only need a little! Rehearse this first without the glue. If the tip is off, lift the hair out gently, practice lining the tip up with the head and holding it in place before glueing. Be careful of the pins, if any. Try not to get it in the hair (if it does get in the hair, tell your next rehairer!). Maybe a careful friend can run the glue in while you hold it.

If this doesn't work, leave it for a professional and try not to use the bow if it's valuable. The tip protects the head, which is fragile. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Bettina Grünewald Ezbidi on November 11, 2009 at 12:58am

hello Erin and thank you very much! i will most likely try this, Bettina

Erin Shrader said:

Hi Bettina,

I agree with what Josh has to say. His advice is good. If you can get it repaired by a knowledgeable maker, that's the best route. But if you can't get to a good repairer any time soon and need to keep using the bow, and it's not full of glue from the oud maker's attempt, AND it hasn't been bent or twisted, you may be able to glue it back in place with super glue until you can get it properly fixed. That way the tip will still protect the head. Super glue can be reversed, so you're not doing permanent damage. But it does run all over the place if you're not careful. Have the super glue solvent handy, too, if you can get it, and someone to un-stick your fingers if you get stuck.

If the tip is not all the way off, run a little glue along the edges, then hold it firmly in place for maybe 4 minutes. The glue will seep in, you only need a little! Rehearse this first without the glue. If the tip is off, lift the hair out gently, practice lining the tip up with the head and holding it in place before glueing. Be careful of the pins, if any. Try not to get it in the hair (if it does get in the hair, tell your next rehairer!). Maybe a careful friend can run the glue in while you hold it.

If this doesn't work, leave it for a professional and try not to use the bow if it's valuable. The tip protects the head, which is fragile. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Bettina Grünewald Ezbidi on November 11, 2009 at 12:59am

Thank you Josh! Bettina

Josh Henry said:

Silver (and gold) tips often come loose from the head of the bow due to expansion and contraction of the wood from humidity. For this reason, most tips like this are secured to the head with small pins in addition to glue. If this is a bow that you value, I would not attempt to repair (or replace) the tip yourself. There is a very fine bow maker/restorer named David Samuels that lives and works in Israel. I do not know the difficulty or politics of traveling there or sending your bow to him, but I would suggest that you get in contact with him through his website (http://samuelsbow.net). Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Bettina Grünewald Ezbidi on November 11, 2009 at 1:37am

Hello Josh, in fact i did write to David and hope something will come out of this. thank you! Bettina

Josh Henry said:

Silver (and gold) tips often come loose from the head of the bow due to expansion and contraction of the wood from humidity. For this reason, most tips like this are secured to the head with small pins in addition to glue. If this is a bow that you value, I would not attempt to repair (or replace) the tip yourself. There is a very fine bow maker/restorer named David Samuels that lives and works in Israel. I do not know the difficulty or politics of traveling there or sending your bow to him, but I would suggest that you get in contact with him through his website (http://samuelsbow.net). Good luck!

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