In this step-by-step presentation, Roger Foster demonstrates the complete process of rehairing a violin bow. He starts by examining the bow for structural problems, disassembles the bow and cleans the parts. Then, he precisely cuts hardwood plugs for the head and frog. Next, he selects and prepares the horse hair. With the materials prepared, he proceeds to rehair the bow using techniques which assure that the hair will remain taut in the bow. In order to keep the hair distributed evenly at the frog, he carves and inserts a wooden spreader. Finally, he shrinks the hair and then rosins it.
Roger Foster, after graduating college, began
his apprenticeship in violin and bow making in 1975. By 1977
the focus of his training had turned to restoration. In 1979
he opened Foster's Violin Shop in Orange, California which is
a full service violin shop. On a daily basis he makes, repairs
and restores fine violins and bows. In this video Roger openly
shares his knowledge of and experience in bow rehairing.