Double Bass What size is this bow?

Michael Eisenman

Supporting Member
Jun 21, 2006
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Eugene, Oregon
I just received a bow for a rehair, and it is shorter than my full-sized bow. Its hair length is 20½", as opposed to my bow's hair length of 22". It seems a bit outside of the range of variance for a full-sized bow. Half-size, maybe?

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Others with more knowledge will I'm sure have more insight but I feel like this is in the range of "normal" "full sized" for bass bows. As with basses I don't think there is a specific cut off with sizes of bass bows and there is a ,to of variances. It seems that there are two general sizes that people tend to make and use, one being around 22inches in the measurement you gave and the other being about a inch or so less.

I know I for one like bows on the shorter side, but thats just preference. For example my main bow is a little over 21inches from ferule to the back of the head, so I guess the bow you posted maybe a little on the short side but I don't know if it would be considered less than "full sized" Think of how many basses fall in-between the labels of 5/8, 3/4, and 7/8ths. It seems just almost everything with basses haven't even come close to becoming standard, including their bows.
 
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