Instrument Care

Bow Rehair, Repair, and Instrument Care

Professional bow work and player-focused setup for string players.

Your instrument and bow should help you play with confidence. When the setup is uncomfortable, the bow hair is worn, the bridge is poorly fitted, or the instrument feels slow to respond, playing becomes harder than it needs to be.

I offer bow rehair and bow repair for violin, viola, cello, bass, and period-instrument bows, along with instrument care and setup support for violin, viola, and cello players.

My work combines professional performance experience with practical bench training, giving me a player’s understanding of sound, response, comfort, and function.

At the Bench

Close work, careful materials, and practical results.

Bow repair work at the bench
Bow & Instrument CareDetail 1 / 10

Bow Rehair & Repair

Control, response, and a bow that feels reliable in the hand.

A well-maintained bow gives you better control, cleaner articulation, and a more consistent sound. Worn hair, damaged fittings, a loose button, poor camber, or structural damage can all affect how the bow feels in the hand and how it performs on the string.

I provide bow rehair, repair, and maintenance services for violin, viola, cello, bass, and period-instrument bows, from routine rehairs to more involved restoration work.

Not every bow needs the same level of work. Some bows only need a fresh rehair or minor adjustment, while others may require more careful repair. I will evaluate the condition of the bow and explain what is practical before moving forward.

Bow services include

Bow rehairs
Cleaning and refinishing
Thumb grip and winding replacement
Tip replacement
Metal tip replacement
Frog crack repair and missing wood fill
Straightening and camber adjustment
Button and screw repairs
Pearl replacement
Broken head repair
Broken stick repair

Setup & Maintenance

Small adjustments can make an instrument easier to play.

A good setup can dramatically improve how an instrument feels and responds. Bridge fit, soundpost placement, peg function, fingerboard condition, string height, and fittings all affect comfort, tone, and playability.

This work is especially important for students and advancing players. Many players struggle with instruments that are simply not set up well. A better setup can make the instrument easier to play, more even across the strings, and more enjoyable to practice.

Setup is not one-size-fits-all. The right setup depends on the player, the instrument, and the goal. A young student, adult amateur, professional performer, and player dealing with tension or discomfort may each need different adjustments.

For larger restoration needs, I may recommend referral to a specialized restoration shop or maker. My goal is to give you an honest assessment of what your instrument needs, what can wait, and what will make the biggest practical difference.

Instrument services include

Initial setup
Custom setup and playability adjustment
Tone adjustment
Edge gluing
Basic crack repair
Fingerboard planing
Peg refitting
New bridge or bridge refit
New soundpost or soundpost refit
Filling worn edges
Tailpiece replacement
Chin rest replacement

Training & Background

Bench work informed by the realities of playing.

My repair and setup work is grounded in formal training with Jennifer Becker and continued hands-on study with respected makers and bow specialists including Rodney Mohr, Roger Zabinski, and David Orlin.

That training is paired with years of professional performing and teaching experience. I understand what players feel under the hand and bow, and I use that perspective when evaluating setup, tone, response, comfort, and repair needs.

Who This Is For

Practical care for students, performers, teachers, and families.

Violin, viola, and cello students
Parents who want to know whether an instrument is properly set up
Teachers seeking a trusted referral for student instruments
Adult amateurs who want their instrument to feel easier to play
Players needing bow rehairs or bow maintenance
Bass players needing bow rehair or bow repair
Period-instrument players needing bow service
Musicians preparing for auditions, recitals, weddings, or performances
Anyone unsure whether their instrument or bow needs repair

A Practical, Honest Approach

Clear recommendations before work begins.

Some repairs are essential. Some are optional. Some are not worth doing on a particular instrument or bow.

I will always aim to explain the issue clearly before moving forward. The goal is not to push unnecessary work. The goal is to improve function, sound, comfort, and reliability so the instrument and bow support the player.

Request a Repair Assessment

Need a bow rehair, bow repair, or instrument setup evaluation?

Send a message with a few details about the instrument or bow, along with photos if there is visible damage. I’ll let you know whether it sounds like a simple adjustment, a repair, or something that should be evaluated in person.

Request Bow or Instrument Service