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This past September I upgraded my Fiddlerman CF bow to the holstein 1-star pernambuco bow. I notice my frog does not work as well as the one on the CF bow. One issue is when you are loosing the bow hair the Holstein disengages too soon and won't let me loosen the bow all the way. Another one is there is no space between frog and leather when the Holstein bow is tightened. Anyone have a way for me to fix these issues? I have attached pictures of both bows.
I love the sound of the Holstein bow, but I used it all of 5 times because of those issues. I want to use it as my main bow.
Thank you in advance!
Rodas
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The most likely source of the problem was that the hair was knotted a fraction of an inch too short when made. That should be an easy fix and would cause no damage to the bow. I believe that Fiddlerman offers a guarantee so I would call them.
If the frog resists sliding when tightened or loosened by manipulation by the button, a dab of rubbed on bee wax does no harm. It could also be that the frog eyelet needs to be adjusted (which I would leave to Fiddlerman, but is also easy).
I would get it fixed since continued use may put strain on the mortise (the elongated hole by which the frog is attached to the stick) and lessens your enjoyment. Happy to note that you otherwise enjoy the bow.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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I thought it was just a case of taking the screw right out, positioning the frog where you want it, and screwing the screw back in again, but obviously not, if Irv doesn't think so.
Andrew
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Thank you for the explanation and possible solutions! @Gordon Shumway and @Irv . I don't feel comfortable working on the bow let alone playing the violin haha. I will call the shop after @Fiddlerman sees this post. I don't want to waste their time if this is not a real issue.
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It sounds like they are having an “all hands on deck” drill at the shop until Christmas is over. I am sure that they have the resources to resolve the issue once the rush is over.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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That is a good point. I'm not in a rush since I have my FM CF bow, I will call them after the holiday rush.
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This may also be a seasonal thing. Bow hair is quite sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity; it shortens in cold, dry air. If you got the bow in September, in Maryland's climate, the hair may have contracted by half an inch or more.
Many string players get their bows rehaired twice a year: once in late spring or early summer, once in late fall or early winter, so that the hair doesn't stretch or shrink too much during the time it is being used. If you're practicing daily, you'll need a rehair every 6-8 months anyway.
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Hi AndrewH and others. In my reading through the thread, the problem existed upon bow delivery in September. But you have a point. Is the bow left hanging from a music stand or does it remain in the case with (hopefully) some sort of sponge humidifier?
It would be difficult to justify, or require, the cost of a rehair after single digit uses.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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On rereading, it appears you are correct and the bow hair was too short on arrival; I skimmed the post and incorrectly assumed it was a problem that appeared recently.
That said, generally speaking, on the East Coast it is probably a good idea to use a case humidifier in the winter months. Seasonal rehairing makes more sense if the bow is being used for 150+ hours every six months.
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@Irv is correct the problem was there from delivery. That is the reason I rarely used the bow, but the sound is too good not to use. @AndrewH you are 100% correct, I have noticed issues with my other bow and even violin when I leave out of the case over night.
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Ryonass and others. On a separate thread, I talk about a diy violin case humidifier using gell spheres and a “window” of gortex. One filling of spheres (which can be renewed by immersion in distilled water) will last the entire winter.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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Some bows I tested in the past did have hair tension issues (from a local shop), one the hair was so short it didn't loosen at all, and the one I went with could loosen a little bit, but not all the way. With the one I ended up with, my fiddle teacher said the hair would resolve itself and not to worry about it. It looked very similar to what your Holstein bow is doing, and I can't recall how long it took, but the hair did eventually relax and get over that phase (that bow is 3 years old now, with the same hair).
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Sorry for being so behind on reading these posts.
Your Holstein Bow is guaranteed. Not only is it guaranteed but our guarantee is better than any other I know. Even if you break the bow and it's your own fault, we gotcha covered. 
Our bows are sometimes haired too tight because of our humid climate. I'm guessing that you are in a dry environment, especially in the winter. This is a common problem.
Call us on Tuesday at Fiddlershop. (Monday is always crazy for us) We'll send you a return label, fix your bow, and send it back. Worst-case scenario, we'll send you a new one. Sorry for the inconvenience.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Sounds good. I still have the original packing it came in. I will call the shop on Tuesday as you suggested. @Fiddlerman
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Cool. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Just wanted to update this. I sent my bow in and just got it back today. Everything has been fixed and it works well now.
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