Building a Legacy of Quality: Our Bow Hair Journey to China

 

Emily and I've spent decades perfecting the art of sourcing the highest-quality bow hair for musicians around the world. One of the key moments in this journey took place in 2004 when my wife Emily and I traveled to Anping, China, to meet with a bow hair supplier. It was an eye-opening experience that not only helped us establish a strong relationship with a reputable workshop but also shaped the foundation for our business.

The Search for Excellence: Our First Visit to Anping

Upon arriving in Anping, we were taken on a tour of the workshop where the hair was processed. I still remember the meticulousness of the workers as they straightened the hair using hackles, carefully drawing and sorting out any damaged strands. The hair was then bundled and packaged, ready to be shipped to a customer in London. Each step in the process was done with precision and care, which gave me the confidence to negotiate a fair price for our first order. We sat in a small, cold office drinking hot water, a customary Chinese tradition, while the terms were settled.

This trip solidified our commitment to providing only the best-quality bow hair, and it marked the beginning of what would become a longstanding partnership with our supplier.

Expanding the Scope: The Return in 2005

We returned to Anping in 2005, this time expanding our focus beyond bow hair. The demand for high-quality horse tail hair for push brooms, brushes, and furniture had grown, and we were there to negotiate prices for these products as well. This broadened our expertise in the industry and allowed us to offer a diverse range of products, ensuring that we could meet the needs of various customers across different sectors.

Since then, we've been steadily importing small quantities—around 10 kilos at a time—of both bow hair and other horse hair products. Our commitment to quality has remained unwavering, and we've continued to source the best hair for our clients.

The Impact of the Pandemic and the Changing Industry

Like many industries, ours was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, we had to pause all orders due to global disruptions. After four long years, we're excited to announce that we are starting back up again. However, the landscape has changed significantly, especially in terms of pricing.

Several factors have contributed to the steep rise in prices. One of the primary reasons is the decreasing number of animals, which has resulted in a shortage of high-quality hair. Another issue is the lack of proper training within the Chinese hair-processing industry, leading to inconsistencies in quality control. Lastly, the tariffs on animal products from China have increased, further driving up costs.

Despite these challenges, we continue to provide the finest bow hair in the industry. We pride ourselves on our careful selection process, ensuring that only the best quality hair reaches our customers.

Bow Hair Products Available for Purchase

We offer a variety of bow hair products, each one carefully wrapped in butcher paper and measured at 83cm. Whether you're a professional player or a student, we have the right bow hair to suit your needs.

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  Unbleached Natural White, Double Drawn, Visually Sorted
  Our Best Product. This is the finest bow hair we offer, perfect for professionals seeking impeccable performance.

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  Unbleached Natural, Double Drawn, Visually Sorted
  Ideal for student bows, offering reliability and quality at an affordable price.

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  Unbleached Coarse, Double Drawn, Visually Sorted
  A great option for fiddlers, providing the strength and resilience needed for traditional playing styles.

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  Black Coarse
  Specifically designed for bass and Baroque bows, offering durability and aesthetic appeal.

For pricing inquiries, please email us at [your email].

At Sweet Music USA, our dedication to quality has not wavered, despite the changes in the global market. We continue to source the best materials so that you can perform at your best.

Changsha: A Destination for Foodies and Adventurers

As a world traveler, you're always on the lookout for new and exciting destinations to explore. If you're planning a trip to China, we highly recommend adding Changsha to your itinerary. Located in the Hunan province, Changsha offers a unique blend of history, culture, and cuisine that is sure to captivate and delight any traveler.

One of the highlights of a visit to Changsha is sampling the local delicacies. Hunan cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors, and Changsha is no exception. From fiery hotpots to fragrant braised dishes, there is no shortage of delicious and satisfying meals to try.

But perhaps the most famous (or infamous) dish in Changsha is stinky tofu. This fermented tofu has a pungent odor that can be off-putting to some, but for others, it's a must-try culinary experience. If you're feeling adventurous, be sure to give it a taste!

Stinky tofu is made by fermenting tofu in a brine of fermented vegetables, meat, and sometimes shrimp. The process can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the desired level of fermentation. The end result is a tofu that has a strong smell and a unique flavor that is both sweet and savory.

Despite its name and smell, stinky tofu is a beloved delicacy in Changsha and throughout China. It's often served fried or grilled, with a variety of sauces and seasonings to complement its bold flavor. Locals and tourists alike can be seen lining up at street vendors and restaurants for a taste of this unique dish.

But stinky tofu isn't the only culinary delight that Changsha has to offer. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of other local specialties, such as spicy grilled fish, Hunan-style rice noodles, and braised pork belly. And of course, no trip to Changsha would be complete without trying the city's famous hotpot. This communal meal involves cooking various meats, vegetables, and other ingredients in a simmering pot of spicy broth, making it a perfect way to warm up on a chilly evening.

Beyond the food, Changsha has much to offer for travelers interested in history and culture. The city is home to several museums and historic sites, including the Mawangdui Han Tombs, which date back to the Han dynasty. The Orange Isle Scenic Area is also worth a visit, with its beautiful gardens and stunning views of the Xiang River.

So whether you're a foodie looking to sample some of the best flavors that China has to offer, or an adventurer seeking out new cultural experiences, Changsha is a destination that should not be missed.

We couldn't agree more that Changsha is a must-visit destination for foodies and adventurers alike! Have you ever tried stinky tofu or other Hunan specialties? Share your experiences with us in the comments below! And don't forget to follow our account for more travel tips and inspiration. #Changsha #HunanCuisine #StinkyTofu #Foodie #AdventureSeeker

Copyright 2023 Adam R Sweet.

Where does bow hair come from? How is it made?

Here's a bundle of horsetail hair. The hair is from an animal, or animals, that lived and worked in #Siberia. They don't have many tractors there, but they do have a lot of horses. The animals were sold to a slaughterhouse in Harbin, China, where they were disassembled, the component parts cleaned and prepared for transport to different parts of the country. 

Every part of the animal is used in some way. Belly hair, for example, is used in paint brushes! The tails are dried on a cobblestone lot, then loaded in burlap bags labeled by weight, length and color. The pallets are loaded onto freight trains to an auction facility outside #Anping, #China. There they are bid on by various companies. 

The people I do business with bid according to color and length. They mostly supply black hair for car and furniture companies, but they are the oldest facility in the city that still processes #bow #hair in the original manner. If you want to read more about that, I wrote an article about it here.

#violinbow #fiddlebow #cellobow #bowhair #horsetailhair #violin #China #Siberia #Harbin #Anping 

To order your own horsetail hair for bows

Where does bow hair come from? How is it made?

Here's a bundle of horsetail hair. The hair is from an animal, or animals, that lived and worked in #Siberia. They don't have many tractors there, but they do have a lot of horses. The animals were sold to a slaughterhouse in Harbin, China, where they were disassembled, the component parts cleaned and prepared for transport to different parts of the country. 

Every part of the animal is used in some way. Belly hair, for example, is used in paint brushes! The tails are dried on a cobblestone lot, then loaded in burlap bags labeled by weight, length and color. The pallets are loaded onto freight trains to an auction facility outside #Anping, #China. There they are bid on by various companies. 

The people I do business with bid according to color and length. They mostly supply black hair for car and furniture companies, but they are the oldest facility in the city that still processes #bow #hair in the original manner. If you want to read more about that, I wrote an article about it here.

#violinbow #fiddlebow #cellobow #bowhair #horsetailhair #violin #China #Siberia #Harbin #Anping 

To order your own horsetail hair for bows

Products For Sale

I import high quality bow hair, bows, accessories and tools for bow makers.  I've listed some of the products in a free Wix site here.  Everything is available for pickup at my Granby location (CDC Covid19 rules applied).  Sorry, shipping is not available at this time.

Read about my trip to China sourcing horse tail hair!  It was an amazing trip.

Read about how horse tail hair is processed for bows

In addition to bow hair and supplies for bow makers, I carry some unfinished instruments and a few other things.  I update it as new things come in.

Products For Sale

I import high quality bow hair, bows, accessories and tools for bow makers.  I've listed some of the products in a free Wix site here.  Everything is available for pickup at my Granby location (CDC Covid19 rules applied).  Sorry, shipping is not available at this time.

Read about my trip to China sourcing horse tail hair!  It was an amazing trip.

Read about how horse tail hair is processed for bows

In addition to bow hair and supplies for bow makers, I carry some unfinished instruments and a few other things.  I update it as new things come in.

Following the Source of Horse Tail Hair for Making Bows

I've been sourcing horse tail hair for bows since the late 1990s.  I bought it from suppliers in Canada, Argentina and Siberia.  The Siberian suppliers sold through an agent in England named Michael T. Sowden.  In 1998, the Canadian tail hair supply started to dry up and the quality of the Argentinian hair became worse and worse.  I realized I needed to find a new source of tail hair.  In 1999, I heard from a member of the Violin Society of America that his bow hair supplier bought hair from China.  This was the first I'd heard about China being a source.  I decided to check it out for myself.  I tracked down one of the companies through my contact, through an interpreter found the auction house where he bid on lots of tails.  From them, I discovered where the tails originated from.  Some were ironically from Argentina, others were from slaughterhouses on the border between northeast China and Mongolia.  I got the name of one of the largest organizations and tracked down their address.  My first trip to China was to Harbin in August of 1999.  I'd never been to China and didn't speak the language...it was quite an adventure just getting there.  I got a ticket via Korean Air to Seoul, changed planes and flew to Shenyang, China.  From there, I took a train northeast to Harbin.  For a white guy traveling alone, it was a harrowing experience, but I found people along the way who were very helpful once they found out what I was doing.

I got to the slaughterhouse and was given a tour.  This was before digital pictures and unfortunately my camera did not survive the journey, but it's probably good.  The experience was horrific and I do not want to repeat it here.  I still have nightmares.  Suffice it to say the animals come from farms in Mongolia and Siberia.  They come across the border by train to the slaughterhouse, where they are unloaded and left in holding stalls until they can be processed.  The animals with the longest tails are separated from those with shorter tails.  After the animals are processed, the tails are separated from the bodies, but the hair is still attached to the bone of the tail.  They are rinsed with cold water and left to dry out on the courtyard of the slaughterhouse.  When dry, they are stuffed into huge burlap bags and loaded onto pallets.  Each bag is marked with a tag indicating (in Chinese) the source of the tails, the color, length and a few other things.

The bags are loaded onto freight trains.  I was able to take the same train as the tails back to Shenyang.  I found out where the tails were going (to Anping), and got the address of the auction house.  I bought a plane ticket after a night in a hotel to the closest airport and arranged to be picked up at the airport and driven there.  My source was a gentleman with a lot of music experience in China.  He started out as a young man selling pianos, but eventually got into the violin and bow business.  He spoke broken English but was very friendly and helpful.  He drove me to the bow hair supplier there and put me up in a local hotel.  I'll include pictures (below) of the experience in Anping.

The courtyard of the workshop was interesting.  It was flagged with small round stones.  The buildings on each side had beautiful murals of wild horses.  There were two orange three-wheeled delivery trucks parked to one side.  I was led into the main building where we sat on benches around a table.  I was given a cup of hot water.  My contact and I chatted with the manager, a young man in his 30s.  He of course was interested in the quantity of tail hair I would be purchasing.  I was confident of the amount, but wanted to learn of the quality of his hair.

The Manager took me out to the courtyard, to a grey concrete basin on one said.  He explained that they wash the tails with a mild detergent here. 

Then we went into a low building with cardboard-covered pallets on the floor.  The tails are dried here, turning them often. 

We then went into a workshop.  Inside was a flurry of activity.  On the right were two men working with bundles of black tail hair.  They were tying off the hair with white string and boxing it up for shipment.  I was told this hair was going to a brush factory in England. 

On the left in back were two men working with hand-fulls of hair.  They would throw these bunches over large metal upright combs I later learned were called "hackles".  The combs would straighten the hair.  They set the straightened hair to one side in back of them. 

A middle aged woman wearing an apron was strapping slats around bunches of hair, making what appeared to be a barrel.  She put the barrel between her knees. She then took a butter knife in her right hand and pulled several strands of hair out of the barrel and placed it in her left hand.  She did this swiftly and repeatedly until she had a fistful of hair.  She then tied a piece of string around it and laid it down to her side.  Once she was done, she barreled up the "drawn" hair a second time, and pulled it through.  She did this one more time with the hair.  The manager told me that this process eliminated short hairs and a lot of bad hair. 

After doing this a total of 3 times, she went on to the next batch while another man took the drawn hair and brought it to another building where women were sitting at tables.  This room had a lot of light.  The women each had a bundle of hair on a white piece of butcher paper on the table in front.  They were going through the bundle strand by strand and inspecting each hair!  Amazing I thought.  Any hair that was bent, twisted, discolored, curled, tapered or not right would be set aside.  The poor quality hair would be used in furniture (mattresses, cushions. I was told they sold some to Honda and Mercedes for seat cushions).  Each bundle would be looked over by at least two of the women.  When they were deemed of good quality, they were placed in a tray and taken to a final setting where a man would make sure the ends were even and tie them up for packaging.  It was a lengthy process, but these people were very skilled.

After the visit to the workshop and tour of the facility, we went back to the Manager's office, where I talked about quantities, quality and pricing.  I said I would place an order when I got back to the US.  The Manager invited my contact and I out to dinner at his house that night.  After a rest at the hotel, I was picked up by some dour looking men in the lobby and driven to the Manager's house.  He lived in a sad looking building that looked like a shack.  It had a tin roof and adobe walls.  I had to duck my head when I went in.  We were met by the Manager's young wife.  She was very pretty.  She invited us in and took our coats.  Dinner was in a side room near a kitchen.  There was a big round dais in the middle of the table, and everybody was drinking beer from little glasses.  Each course was toasted with words by one of the men.  There were no women present.  "Gumbeh!"

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