Sometimes goes limp (bow hair)

Subject: Sometimes goes limp
From: Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:14 PM

This is a practical advise question for other fiddlers. You know what I's talking about. Viagra won't help. You are playing out in the evening, and as it cools off the the humidity changes, you can't keep enough tension of the bow to produce a good tone. What I usually do when it gets bad enough is just put the fiddle up for the night? Anyone got any practical suggestions?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:19 PM

Go West, young man, go West....never had that problem in the high dry prairie/mtns out here:-)

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: jeffp
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:24 PM

I've had similar problems playing in basements. One possibility, admittedly not a great solution, is have a second bow strung with synthetic hair. It won't be great, and you probably won't like playing with it, but at least you'll be able to play after a fashion. I'll be interested to see what ideas others come up with.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Mbo
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:25 PM

"Louisiana Man" Doug Kershaw never tightens his bow hairs. He leaves them limp, and somehow loops his thumb under the frog and uses that to adjust the tension. If his hairs went limp, he'd just move his thumb to tighten them up again. BTW this is also how he does quadruple-stops with ease. Just a suggestion! I don't seem to have this problem with my fiddle, and I live in the most humid place on Earth!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:28 PM

Well, kat, I have had it happen "out here". I try to carry 2 bows, that helps a little. Usually I have this problem when I'm playing outside after dark. Bonfires help, just (carefully!!) bake the bow a few minutes by moving it back and forth in front of the fire. Hubby used to have a non tuneable bodhran that had this problem a lot. bought him a little electric hair dryer and now I carry it in my gig bag. Only works if you have acess to electricity.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Bert
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:29 PM

Now admit it. This thread was started as a boost to the thread name game. Who's going to be the first to come up with an interesting juxtaposition?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: MMario
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:49 PM

bert, since it goes limp, even an interesting juxtaposition is only going to cause frustration

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 05:22 PM

Sorcha, I have a Native American drum which does that. The maker told me to just hold it under a light bulb for a few minutes, and of course, a campfire, as you say, helps, too! I haven't done much playing out of doors in the past few years, so I stand corrected.:-)

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 05:33 PM

I am submitting MY post without reading the others, and just responding to the thread title, as all REAL Mudcateers seem to do.

IMHO, this has to be a spurious posting and I am gpoing to immediately institute a complete and DEEP inspection of all cookies in our home. The HARDiMAN I know (and I like to think I know him pretty well), would (NO MAKE THAT) COULD never NEVER EVER say such a thing.

It just isn't possible. Trust me. Been there.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: paddymac
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 05:55 PM

This going limp thing only happens in a moist environment? Hmmm! Sounds like a natural phenomenon.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 05:58 PM

I think Uneasy Rider/Charlie Daniels - Sometimes goes limp is getting pretty close, but there have to be better juxtopositions there somewhere....

And for the problem, I've never had any luck in any of the methods, I broke the end off the bow whilst attempting to stretch it out with my fingers in the way, I broke the screw and trying the 'bonfire' technique over a barbie, got jostled by a drunken yob and nearly lost the whole damn lot in with the baked potatoes and barbeque chicken..... Gave up playing the violin for something less temperamental and easy to carry. Trouble is, I keep losing the piece of paper, and combing my hair with the wrong one.....

LTS

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: paddymac
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 06:05 PM

"What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor" that "Sometimes goes limp"? Is that the kind of thing we're looking for?

How 'bout "The Gypsy Rover-Sometimes goes limp"?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: paddymac
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 06:09 PM

Geez - how could I overlook "The Wild Colonial Boy Sometimes goes limp". Ok, I will now stand aside and eagerly await the real pros in the family. 'Spaw? Amos? Clinton? Where are you guys "when an opportunity arises it Sometimes goes limp". :>)

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 06:19 PM

I guess it will have to be "My Willie-O" "Sometimes goes limp"?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Night Owl
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 06:46 PM

"Wang Dang Doodle/Sometimes Goes Limp"

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: jeffp
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 10:47 PM

Boy don't I feel silly for having given a serious reply on this thread! At the risk of being seen as stuffy, I'm going to pass on a word of caution about drying bodhran heads. It's been recommended to me to use a heating pad rather than a hair dryer to dry out a bodhran head. There's less risk of overdrying it and splitting it that way. That being said, I've dried mine out by exposing it to a bonfire for a second or too with no ill effect, so make your own decisions.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: GUEST,Hardiman the fiddler
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 10:54 PM

Don't feel silly for giving a serious answer, I posed the question humerously, but recently encountered the problem a few weeks ago when I was in Charleston, playing by the famous market on Market Street, downtown. I was playing on the street with my son, and after a while it was impossible to play anymore. It took a day for the horsehair to dry out. So, I want you all to know that I appreciate the suggestions, and the stories, and song suggestions and the humor. thanx, Hardiman

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Tony Burns
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 11:20 PM

I find my "bow" prefers a moist environment. No limp problems here.

I can't believe 7 hours have gone by and 'spaw hasn't raised his head. We should erect a monument.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 11:28 PM

Maybe "erect" is the problem?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: GUEST,Biskit
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:17 AM

Well,first I would like to say that I and me "Bow" have been together way to long to be exposing it to a bonfire and as far as a juc juxtaposition hell I can't even spell the dainged thing .......Biskit

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: rangeroger
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:32 AM

The last time I exposed mine at a bonfire I was arrested. rr

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Mbo
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:34 AM

I'm VERY glad Spaw ain't seen this yet!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 01:40 PM

I'm VERY glad Cleigh has no cousin residing at our house for Hardiman would surely play it!

We must all work together to be SURE that Hardiman and Spaw never get together, for I am afraid what the world would look like if such energies were combined and released! Please, if you value the present space-time continuum, you must help me!

... Aw, that's right, I'm at the Mudcat. You won't help me do any such thing, and if it happens I suppose we can cope.

[sigh]

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Bert
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 01:58 PM

How did we get this far without Áine using this for a song challenge?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:02 PM

Bert, who wants limp songs?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:15 PM

Songs that make you emotionally erect.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:22 PM

Or, I guess she didn't think anybody was up to it.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:23 PM

Or she didn't think anybody was up to the challenge.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:24 PM

Sorry about those two postings, my computer lied to me.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 02:26 PM

Hey, I sailed with the tide, you all had a chance!

To the dories!! Catch her before she hits international waters! She has NO sailing experience but as usual is off and running....

Someone please open a new thread... these are the Voyages of the SS Mudcat, off on a [ ]-year mission to go where no man should ever go...

[scary maritime theme music]

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Barbara
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 03:02 PM

I've also used the electric burners on a stove to tune a drumhead (carefully) -- I don't know if the same would work on a bow.

B.S. Gordon Bok/Sometimes Goes Limp

hmmmm.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 03:31 PM

Oh, help save Max, sometimes goes limp...

Lost my sense of humor, sometimes goes limp...

This is SO much better than just typing [refresh]

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 07:02 PM

Limp go the hairs on my antique bow How I shall play, I just don't know

How coax I music from a beautiful violin when all the hairs of my bow are limp again?

Where for solace might I go? guess I'll strum the old banjo

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: rangeroger
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 09:13 PM

I believe there are laws against fiddlers demeaning themselves by playing banjo.And of course,if you did strum the banjo, you would,perforce become a banjo player and have to suffer through all the banjo jokes directed at you. rr

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 02:27 AM

Sorry, rr, he was a bajoer first. Blues banjo too.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: paddymac
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 12:48 AM

God forgive me, and mudcatter's too, but dare I say it? This thread seems to have petered out.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 01:49 AM

Ah, does that mean that the whole thing has gone limp, after so short a time??

Story of my life....................

LTS

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: rangeroger
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 02:13 AM

What amazes me is that 'spaw never did post to it.
Is he trying trying to demonstrate superhuman feats of self-restraint?
"spaw? Nah.
rr

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 11:39 AM

Whatsa matta you? It's stayed up since 01-Mar-00 - 04:14 PM!

Yes many threads live longer but remember-- some of them just end up with blue ba**s.

Anyway this one can always come up again.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 12:10 PM

Just think of the problems you would have playing gut strings!

My Ding-a-ling/sometimes goes limp

troll

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 11:29 PM

Yeah, Troll, that's a klezmer instrument, right?

So much to learn, so little time...

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:10 AM

Praise, Praise! My Ding-a-ling is a song by none other than the great Chuck Berry! I would have expected you to know that.Boy! Am I disapointed!

The klezmer instrument you were probably thinking of is the Tsimbalom which is similar to the hammered dulcimer. Much more than you wanted to know, right? I'm a wealth of useless facts.

troll

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:15 AM

Troll, hi!!! OK, I DON'T know everything, don't TELL everyone!!!

KLEZMER! Must learn klezmer!! Come over now, teach all!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:15 AM

Is that the same as a Cimbalom going limp? With all those strings, I'm not surprised.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:31 AM

Yep! Just a different spelling.

Praise,if you want to learn from klezmer, you should check out the Klezmer Conservatory Band or the Klezmatics. Also,"In The Fiddlers House" with Itzak perleman and whole bunch of really fine bands. It is fun music and not that hard to play although some of the fiddle techniques are strange.

troll

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:37 AM

Troll,

No!! You have to come!! Don't make us come down there with the electric autoharps!

OK, I'll check those out, learn some stuff, and then I'm coming to get you!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:38 AM

Fun, yes, not hard to play, welll, if you wanna play in two, or three, or four flats, OK it's not hard. I personally find more than 2 flats difficult anymore. But fun, Oh Golly, yes!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:40 AM

Sorcha you come too!!!! Must have klezmer!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 01:05 AM

Honey, it's a LONG WAYS from Wyoming to New York, and I can't seem to memorize any of it! Flats just aren't there anymore!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 01:16 AM

Whats this New York stuff? It's cold up there! I'm in Florida. Go to alta vista and enter "24th Street Klezmer Band". I'm the guy in the back with the banjo the beard and the cap.

The weather here is gorgeous! All the azaleas are coming into bloom and the temp. hasn't started it's climb to the stars yet. Yet!

So go on! Check it out! I'd give you the web site address but I never can remember it. It's very long. So just do a search and there we are. My Wife is the short one (not the blond)

troll

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: rangeroger
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 02:06 AM

What's fun is when you mix Klezmer music with Bluegrass.You can really get some interesting juxtapositions.
Years ago at Stawberry Music Fest.,we had several Klezmer musicians who loved to jam with anyone.We would trade songs and licks.
First Klezmer then Bluegrass. You've never lived till you've heard a Trombone or accordion break on Foggy Mountain Breakdown.
rr

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 02:26 AM

No, troll, Sorch'a planning her trop to see me!

Sorcha-- PA, not NY

rangeroger-- come to me!! Must have klezmer!!

Everyone-- has this become the klezmer thread? Are all who are concerned about limpness closet klezmerers? Or does klezmerism cure limpsickness?

Teach me your klezmer jargon!! Klezmer!! Must have!!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 05:03 AM

I thought klezmer was just country and western with a shrug and a snip..... maybe I've been hanging around the wrong musicians.....

LTS

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 08:51 AM

LOL!!!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 08:53 AM

Wait-- LTS-- took that to its logical conclusion, and no longer LOL.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 09:57 AM

Oh LTS, I LOVE it! I'll have to tell the rest of the band at our next rehersal.

troll ROTF

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 05:30 PM

but what about the limp bow???? do we just play klezmer till it's ready to go again?

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Hardiman the Fiddler
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 10:44 PM

It's either play klezmer, or apply vibrato!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 10:57 PM

Klezmer fiddling does not utilize vibrato,believe it or not. It uses a technique that produces a similar effect but if you want an explaination of the technique, you'll have to talk to my son. He's the fiddler. I'm just the banjo player and chief roady.

If you want to know more about Klezmer music, do a web search for Ari's Klez Shack. Ari Davidow maintains a web site devoted to the subject.

troll--- who keeps wondering what a good wasp boy is doing in a Klezmer band in the first place

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 11:02 PM

I have just sort of picked this up by listening to Klez Conservatory. I bend the notes using a VERY slow vibrato type movement with my wrist, no arm vib at all.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 11:03 PM

Hardiman, Troll,

Clearly this is moving in the right direction.

God Bless Thread Creep.

Klezmer music and limp bows, vibrato, no vibrato....

This calls for synthesis of thought.

OK. Here it is... I usually sing but apparently this will call for a hum job.

Must have klezmer!!!!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: rangeroger
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 11:08 PM

Praise,
I'm glad Troll answered the klezmer stuff.I really only played it a few times over a couple of festivals.The people who were playing it quit coming to the festval, and I haven't found anyone else yet.
Had a whole bunch of fun with it as I mentioned before.
So it's true that fiddlers don't need batteries for their vibrato.
rr

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 11:17 PM

rr,

Well I don't know that many fiddlers. Better ask Sorcha, too. BTW she gives good klezmer.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 11:25 PM

What you want to do is sound like a waa-waa clarinet, does that make sense? Praise, I thought you went to bed!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 11:28 PM

Well H pushed me off my cookie so I went to read and thought I would be chauffering kidlets, but they aren't ready to end the lip lock yet. So I came back!

No, that isn't right. I went to read since kids weren't ready and H took shameless advantage of my rtemporary absence and corrupted the cookie...

No... OK, I admit it, he's getting as addicted as I am. I did have to go lie down but I was amazed he stayed online, see what he posted in the Advice thread, excellent stuff. I knew he was really a Mudcatter all along.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 11:29 PM

Sorcha---As I understand it,The technique is done by noting with one finger and placing the NEXT finger against the noting finger. You then rock the hand so the non-noting finger lightly hits the noted string. So it's very similar to regular hand vibrato but it uses two fingers almost like a trill. I know the explaination is confusing but it's the best I can do. At this time, I don't believe that an instruction book on Klezmer fiddle exists though I have heard that one is in the works. Mostly, you pick it up from other players. If you are interested, I will be happy to talk to my son. He may be able to teach it via computer. It's a cinch I can't.

Praise---Did you go to our web site? Or is the thought of seeing real klezmorim a little too much to take on an empty stomach?

love

troll

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Mar 00 - 12:32 AM

Troll,

Your description to Sorcha sounds a lot like a gesture I have often seen men (boys) use when conveying to each other their appreciation of a pretty girl passing by.

So is Klezmer anything like schwing dancing?

Can a shiksa be safe at your site? I didn't get there yet, but I am going as soon as I build up the appropriate level of....

Well I'll be sure to take Hardiman along.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Mbo
Date: 06 Mar 00 - 12:40 AM

Ooohh...lip locks? I could use one o' those right about now! Though I'm not sure I could do it right..I've never kissed anyone before....oops or was that lip lochs?

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Troll
Date: 06 Mar 00 - 12:47 AM

How safe do you want to be?

I'm a goy and I have no problems. Of course, since both my Wife and son are Jewish, I guess I can qualify as a blue-eyed cousin.*BG*

Nope. Nothing like schwing. More like moshing without the body contact if you can imagine that.Lots of circle type dances and follow-the -leader stuf. It's a lot of fun.Well over half of our e-mail list are goyem. Go figure!

troll

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Mar 00 - 12:52 AM

I fpound your pic, I think, and also found:

Thread of Blue is an 18 piece Klezmer band in Newark, Delaware. We are affiliated with Temple Beth El, Possum Park Road, Newark, DE. Have been together almost two years. Directed by Michael Zinn, Ph.D., Professor of Music at The University of Delaware, Newark, DE.

NOTE THE ADDRESS.....

And Mbo-- there is a Bulgar Brothers or something or other klezmer band!

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 02:16 PM

I guess Spaw never did find this thread. Oh well, let's have a refresh for another related question asked in the threads today.

~S~

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 03:53 PM

WYSIWYG -

The thread never died: - we just need a new (or maybe additional) direction for the creep to keep it going. Since I don't do well with inuendo, and can't think of anything very clever, I'll respond to the original post and the early "serious" replies.

Any of us with some camping experience in wet weather have probably seen the "overnight disassembly" of instruments left out in reasonably protected places, like under the camper or hidden under a tarp. This can happen with high humidity and cool nights even without actual "rainfall."

This happened to one person of my acquaintance at two separate years' sessions at Winfield. One year he left a relatively old "beater" fiddle under a table (which was under a canopy) and found it "took apart" in the morning. A couple of years later he left a fairly nice guitar tucked under his camper, and found several very large "additional acoustic resonator" points in the morning. The guitar was repaired, but I believe the fiddle is still somewhere "in a box."

I have not heard of much significant damage from playing in "drizzly" weather, or under canopies during rainfall; but the people with the "good" instruments tend to be pretty cautious. It is critical that the instrument be dried of any visible moisture before it's put away, and that it be put in as near to an "indoor" space as is available. (Even in a tent, the "body heat" from the occupant(s) probably helps, so that's likely to be better than a protected "outside" space. The higher humidity due to occupancy is probably less damaging than the outside "dew.")

If possible, a "wet" instrument should be put where there's some air circulation; but sometimes it's best to put even a wet one in a case because of the other "hazards of camp life."

Any camper with some experience can attest to the difficulty of drying things by a campfire. Combustion produces a lot of water vapor, and the relative humidity near a fire is often much higher than a little distance away. The familiar odor of burnt tenny-runners on sleeping campmates also testifies to the difficulty of obtaining predictably uniform heating of anything using campfire heat.

And don't forget that wet hair and strings may contract significantly when they "stabilize" to new conditions - and the glue may be softened by the wetness, so loosening things up before putting them away may be advisable.

Wet weather is an ENEMY of wooden instruments. Sometimes the enemy can be defeated - other times it's best to run away.

John

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 03:55 PM

Thanks, John.

~S~
(formerly known here as "Praise", if that helps any of the above posts make more sense)

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Willie-O
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 04:30 PM

Well isn't this fascinating.

Now, I know Wysi was originally using the handle Praise, which is why folks address her as such in this Year 2000 thread...umm, but why are all yer "From:"s credited to "WSIWYG"? My pre-Willie-O threads still have my old name on them (my real one). When did you change your handle? I'm all baffled, which ain't saying much.

Also, is it too late for me to take exception to Lady McMoo's comment of March 1 00?

To answer the original question, my practical suggestion (same as on Marion's parallel thread du jour): switch to melodica.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: MMario
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 04:34 PM

if you change your handle on an existing account - any of the places that are auto-filled (life the "from") change.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Art Thieme
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 06:06 PM

This would happen to me all the time when playing my musical saw. My answer for the problem was to junk my good fiddle bow and even the artificially haired bow. I took a curved stick that I found in the alley behind our house in Chicago and put a notch in each end. Then I took a length of nylon clothesline, the thin kind that you might use to open your drapes. I put a knot in both ends of that string, put an end of the string in each notch so the tension caused the nylon string to be somewhat taut. After rosining up the string, I never had this problem again.

I heartily suggest you all replace your fancy bows with this type of bow abd your problems will simply become moot points. And if a rabbit or a deer comes skulking close by, you can use your bow to secure meat that might last you and the family quite a long time. Jus remember, arrows with moot points do not work well at all. Just a little word to the wise...from

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 06:11 PM

SOMETIMES goes limp????? Good heavens man, thank your luck stars. If it didn't, you'd never get any rest!!!!!!!

Signed,
well rested

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Art Thieme
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 06:14 PM

I was trying to answer seriously, but obviously, doing that is way beyond Guest's capabilities.

Art

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 10:04 PM

***BIG BMILE*** (Just thought I'd best explain.)

Art

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 11:28 PM

A serious answer.....well, you know. Really, a 'space blanket' or the silver surgical covers will help. I carry one in my gear bag all the time. Helps with all extremes, in the case or out.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 12:10 AM

Really... what size then dearie? She sez BLANKET size, OK, iffen you sez so... ;~)

~S~

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 12:55 AM

Well, the 'freebie' surgical blankets are all 'one size fits none' as far as I can tell.............but they will fit all instrument cases. Go to your 'local' hospital and ask for one. They are about 6'long and 4' wide with a scoop out for a human neck. The throw away surg. blankets are basically paper but a real Space Blanket is woven with bound edges. Maybe kinda pricey, but a real deal. They come in several sizes I think. Wrap the instrument/case with silver side out to reflect light/heat/etc. Silver side in to retain heat.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 02:03 AM

there is a case which is made from quilted metalic
fabric which looks a great deal like a fire fighters'
survival tent which we carry on our belts for safety.
instruemnt case to provide insulation from heat cold
and moisture. it is called a climate case . they
used to be made in nevada city or grass valley calif.
a good solution to extra protection for you r instrument.
it only works when it is in the case though.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 02:05 AM

old fashioned nyckelharpa bows were
not made to have an adjusting screw
the tension was adjusted by holding
on to the bow hair with the hand or
thumb and holding tension by squeezing.
must have made the hand tired quickly
or made yoiu extra strong

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 02:51 AM

Oh, like a Baroque viol bow. I did that once, not easy, but do-able. Also, check out Mark Leaf cases--great for pros and others who travel a lot or do multiple temp/humidity stuff. Pretty pricey though.

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 06:41 AM

Even though the original question was asked over 3 years ago, perhaps Hariman still has problems with his bow, or perhaps others do.

I haven't had a bow with tension problems that wasn't a bad bow. You get good wood (or a synthetic bow), properly haired, and it won't go limp. They'll get a bit flaccid, but there's still room to tighten them up.

However, one time when I was playing out on Annamill's dock on the river at night, I had a major problem with the humidity negating the effects of the rosin. It was as if someone lubricated my bow hair. I didn't, and still don't, have a clue what to do about that besides applying fresh rosin every 20 minutes or so. Or: play indoors (not as much fun) or switch to a non-friction dependant instrument such as pennywhistle.

WYS, I'd think you could make little bags for things with 1) a space blanket, 2) scissors, and 3) some environmentally stable glue. I don't think duct tape would work for this, but I haven't tried it.

(Art: "arrows with moot points" - **double-take/chuckle/shaking of head**)

Subject: RE: Sometimes goes limp
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 10:25 PM

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