What size viola is this bow compatible with?

This specific P&H bow is designed for use with violas that have a back length of 15 to 16 inches. It is sized appropriately to balance with the dimensions of these larger instruments.

What is the benefit of a fibreglass stick over a wooden one?

Fibreglass is significantly more durable and resistant to environmental factors than wood. It will not warp or bend when exposed to damp conditions or extreme temperature changes, which often damage wooden bows.

Can I re-hair this bow myself?

Yes, P&H bows are specifically designed to be re-haired at home by the user. This eliminates the need for expensive workshop visits, provided you use the compatible P&H Bowhair Hanks.

What type of hair does the P&H Viola Bow use?

The bow uses unbleached natural white horsehair. This is chosen to provide a better quality of sound and superior grip on the viola strings compared to synthetic hair.

Is this bow suitable for professional touring?

While it is primarily a student bow, its resilience to weather makes it a popular backup choice for touring musicians. It performs reliably in damp or humid climates where a wooden bow might warp.

How does the price of this bow compare to others?

The P&H Fibreglass Viola Bow typically retails for around £40. This places it in the affordable student category, offering better durability than budget wood bows at a similar price point.

Is the hair on the bow synthetic?

No, the hair is natural unbleached white horsehair. Only the stick and components are synthetic; the hair itself is traditional to ensure the best possible tone.

Why do teachers recommend this bow?

Teachers often recommend P&H bows because they are well-balanced for learners and incredibly difficult to break. The ability to easily replace the hair also makes them a practical choice for schools.

Will the bow warp in a damp basement or humid rehearsal hall?

No, the fibreglass construction is specifically designed to be resilient to moisture. It maintains its shape and tension in conditions that would cause a wooden bow to fail.

Does the bow come with rosin?

P&H bows generally do not include rosin as standard. Users should apply a high-quality rosin, such as Hidersine, to the natural horsehair before the first use.

How does it compare to a carbon fibre bow?

Fibreglass is generally heavier and more flexible than carbon fibre. While carbon fibre bows like the Hidersine Premium offer more precision, fibreglass is more affordable and highly impact-resistant for beginners.

What happens if the bow hair breaks?

If the hair becomes thin or breaks, you can purchase a P&H Viola Bowhair Hank. The bow is manufactured to allow for a straightforward replacement process that you can perform yourself.

Gear article

P&H Fibreglass Viola Bow (15-16 Inch)

The P&H Fibreglass Viola Bow is a durable, student-focused accessory designed specifically for instruments with a 15 to 16-inch back length. Constructed from resilient fibreglass, it is engineered to withstand environmental changes and features a unique user-serviceable design for home re-hairing.

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Background and Construction

P&H Bows has established a reputation for manufacturing synthetic alternatives to traditional wood bows, focusing primarily on the educational market. The P&H 15-16 inch Viola Bow is built around a fibreglass stick, a material chosen for its high durability-to-weight ratio. Unlike Brazilwood or Pernambuco, which are susceptible to the grain of the wood, fibreglass offers a uniform consistency that is beneficial for students learning basic techniques.

One of the most distinct aspects of P&H manufacturing is their commitment to longevity. By using synthetic materials, the brand provides a tool that is less fragile than its organic counterparts, making it suitable for classroom environments where equipment may be handled less delicately.

Resilience and Stability

The primary advantage of the fibreglass construction is its resistance to warping. Wooden bows are notoriously sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and humidity, which can cause the stick to bend or lose its tension over time. The P&H fibreglass stick is resilient to extreme weather conditions and damp climates, ensuring the bow remains straight and functional regardless of the environment. This makes it an ideal choice for touring musicians or students living in varying climates.

Sound and Playability

Despite its synthetic construction, the P&H Viola Bow aims for a traditional tonal output by utilizing unbleached natural white horsehair. This choice of hair allows for better grip on the strings compared to synthetic hair alternatives, facilitating a clearer sound. The bow is designed to be well-balanced, providing a stable feel for the player that helps in developing a consistent bow stroke on a 15-16 inch viola.

User Maintenance

A unique selling point of P&H bows is the ability for the owner to perform re-hairing at home. While traditional bows require a skilled luthier to replace the horsehair—a process that can be expensive and time-consuming—P&H bows are engineered to allow the user to fit a new P&H Viola Bowhair Hank themselves. This feature significantly reduces the long-term cost of ownership and ensures the bow can be returned to peak performance quickly.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to wooden bows, such as those included with a Stentor Graduate or Messina outfit, the P&H Fibreglass bow offers superior durability but a different tactile response. While carbon fibre bows like the Hidersine Premium Unidirectional series offer a more professional stiffness and lighter weight, the P&H fibreglass model serves as a more affordable, robust entry-point for beginners. It provides a more stable alternative to low-cost wooden bows which are prone to atmospheric damage.

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Frequently asked questions

What size viola is this bow compatible with?: This specific P&H bow is designed for use with violas that have a back length of 15 to 16 inches. It is sized appropriately to balance with the dimensions of these larger instruments.
What is the benefit of a fibreglass stick over a wooden one?: Fibreglass is significantly more durable and resistant to environmental factors than wood. It will not warp or bend when exposed to damp conditions or extreme temperature changes, which often damage wooden bows.
Can I re-hair this bow myself?: Yes, P&H bows are specifically designed to be re-haired at home by the user. This eliminates the need for expensive workshop visits, provided you use the compatible P&H Bowhair Hanks.
What type of hair does the P&H Viola Bow use?: The bow uses unbleached natural white horsehair. This is chosen to provide a better quality of sound and superior grip on the viola strings compared to synthetic hair.
Is this bow suitable for professional touring?: While it is primarily a student bow, its resilience to weather makes it a popular backup choice for touring musicians. It performs reliably in damp or humid climates where a wooden bow might warp.
How does the price of this bow compare to others?: The P&H Fibreglass Viola Bow typically retails for around £40. This places it in the affordable student category, offering better durability than budget wood bows at a similar price point.
Is the hair on the bow synthetic?: No, the hair is natural unbleached white horsehair. Only the stick and components are synthetic; the hair itself is traditional to ensure the best possible tone.
Why do teachers recommend this bow?: Teachers often recommend P&H bows because they are well-balanced for learners and incredibly difficult to break. The ability to easily replace the hair also makes them a practical choice for schools.
Will the bow warp in a damp basement or humid rehearsal hall?: No, the fibreglass construction is specifically designed to be resilient to moisture. It maintains its shape and tension in conditions that would cause a wooden bow to fail.
Does the bow come with rosin?: P&H bows generally do not include rosin as standard. Users should apply a high-quality rosin, such as Hidersine, to the natural horsehair before the first use.
How does it compare to a carbon fibre bow?: Fibreglass is generally heavier and more flexible than carbon fibre. While carbon fibre bows like the Hidersine Premium offer more precision, fibreglass is more affordable and highly impact-resistant for beginners.
What happens if the bow hair breaks?: If the hair becomes thin or breaks, you can purchase a P&H Viola Bowhair Hank. The bow is manufactured to allow for a straightforward replacement process that you can perform yourself.