My Violin Bow has 'Dead Spots'?

Question:I have been playing my violin quite frequently, lately, and I've made sure to clean my violin strings after each time, and put my instrument up. When I took it out to play today, my bow has spots which will not produce a sound. I've tried amply applying rosin, but it still won't work. Is it possible I've unknowingly gotten something on my bow? And if so, is there any way I can fix it?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have been playing my violin quite frequently, lately, and I've made sure to clean my violin strings after each time, and put my instrument up. When I took it out to play today, my bow has spots which will not produce a sound. I've tried amply applying rosin, but it still won't work. Is it possible I've unknowingly gotten something on my bow? And if so, is there any way I can fix it?

Do not, DO NOT, wash the hair. Get the bow rehaired. You need to get the bow rehaired about every six months - it's just one of those things that need to be done. Washing the hair might not only damage the hair, but the bow as well, as the wood might warp. Take the bow to a proffesional music store and ask if you can get it rehaired. If they can't, go to another store who can. Rehairing will cost a little bit, but it is worth it. However, it is one of those things that a professional needs to do.

I'd just get it rehaired.

You can try cleaning the bow hair.

There are several different opinions about how to do that. One suggestion is to unscrew the hair at the frog and wash it very carefully in a bit of mild shampoo in a basin of warm water, followed by a thorough rinsing, just like you would do with your own hair. You need to be very careful not to get any water on the bow stick. Let the hair dry thoroughly, then reassemble the bow, and put rosin on.

Another suggestion is to use denatured alcohol and Kleenex. There are two kinds of denatured alcohol: wood and ethyl; ethyl (190-200 proof grain) is the best. In some states it's available only in liquor stores. Other denatured alcohol can be bought in paint stores. Do not use rubbing alcohol, as most rubbing alcohols have baby oil or soap and other added ingredients that you don’t want on the bow hair. Separate the hair from the stick and clean the hair. Alcohol will damage or remove varnish from the stick, so let the hair dry thoroughly before re-attaching it to the stick. After the hair dries tighten the bow, and rosin.

If you clean the bow hair and still have a problem with it, you can always get the bow re-haired.