Pioneer Valley Bow Hair
Traditionally dressed professional bow hair from Pioneer Valley Luthier Supply, available through AR Distribution for bow makers, repairers, rehairing specialists and violin workshops.
The range includes all-round professional hair, coarse selections, premium grades and naturally coloured specialist hairs for violin, viola, cello, bass and specialist bow work.
Pioneer Valley's most popular professional bow hair.
Bow hair for bow makers & workshops
Pioneer Valley Luthier Supply is our specialist partner for professional bow hair. The ranges are selected for consistency, strength, colour and playing response, with different grades and textures available for general rehairing and more specialist applications.
Pioneer Valley does not bleach its bow hair. Bleaching can make hair more brittle and fragile. Natural bundles therefore contain shades ranging from white through to very light caramel. Once rosin is applied, the hair takes on a much whiter appearance.
Professional white & blonde hair
Platinum Live™
Selected from hair brought directly from farms to the sorting facilities. Pioneer Valley describes Platinum Live as a consistent, versatile professional hair suitable for a wide range of players and workshop rehairing.
- Use: all-round professional rehairing
- Lengths: 31", 32", 33", 34" and 35"+
- Weights: 250g and 500g bundles
- Finish: washed and dressed to Pioneer Valley standards
Platinum Coarse™
A coarser professional range for players wanting a bigger sound. Pioneer Valley recommends it particularly for cello, bass and hard-bowing performers.
- Use: cello, bass, hard bowing and powerful response
- Lengths: 30", 31", 32", 33", 34" and 35"
- Weights: 250g and 500g bundles
- Processing: soft water, no bleach, fully sorted
Special Select
Pioneer Valley's highest-selection bow hair. It passes through multiple selection processes so that the 250g bundle contains only the highest-quality hair, with minimal wastage. Standard and coarse options are available.
- Standard lengths: 31", 32", 33", 34" and 35"
- Coarse lengths: 30", 31", 32" and 33"
- Weight: 250g bundles
Platinum Blonde
Like Platinum Live, Platinum Blonde is selected from shipments brought directly from farms to the sorting facilities. Pioneer Valley uses a traditional Italian-style washing and bundling method, with elastic ties helping maintain a straight bundle.
- Lengths: 30" and 32"
- Weight: 400g bundles
Naturally coloured & specialty hair
Bassist Black
Naturally black hair selected for consistent, thicker diameter and strength. Pioneer Valley describes it as coarse and grabby, making it particularly suitable for bass and baroque bows.
- Colour: naturally black, not dyed
- Use: bass and baroque bows
- Length: 32"
- Weights: 250g and 500g bundles
Châtaigne Coarse
Selected from healthy brown tails. Pioneer Valley describes Châtaigne as thick and strong, similar in character to Bassist Black but with a natural chestnut colour.
- Colour: chestnut / brown
- Use: bass and cello bows; contemporary players
- Lengths: 32"–33"
- Weight: 250g bundle
Fiddler's Hair
A colour-varied specialty hair with strong texture, intended as a contemporary workshop option.
Reversed Fiddler's Hair
A reversed dark-to-light colour orientation, placing the stronger end of the hair toward the frog.
Trade ordering
Contact AR Distribution for current UK availability or for help selecting Pioneer Valley bow hair.
Orders may also be placed directly through the Pioneer Valley Luthier Supply website, with UK invoicing and supply handled through AR Distribution.
Order directly from AR Distribution or request current UK pricing and availability.
If you are a bow maker, rehairing workshop, violin shop or other eligible trade business, you can apply for an AR Distribution account.