Hey there, fellow bassists. Let me share something I've learned over the years of playing and testing different bows. The debate between black and white bow hair is one of those topics that keeps coming up in bass circles, and for good reason. Your choice of bow hair affects how your instrument responds, how long your bow lasts, and ultimately, how you sound.
Today, I want to walk you through the real differences between black and white hair, and talk about some issues you might face with either option.
Here's the thing about bow hair colors. They're not just about looks.
The White Bow Hair
The white hair tends to be finer and smoother. The black one is typically coarser and thicker. But here's where it gets interesting. The quality of the hair matters way more than the color itself. I've played bows with cheap white hair that felt terrible, and I've tried high-quality white hair that gripped better than any black hair I've used.
Most people think black hair automatically gives you a better grip. That's not always true. Good white hair grips just as well, sometimes better, and it tends to last longer, too.
The Double Bass Bows with Black Hair
Let me address this directly because I see this question all the time.
Many bassists assume double bass bows with black hair are better for orchestral playing. The logic is that black hair grabs the string harder, giving you more projection. This might be true for beginners who are still developing their bow technique. The coarser texture makes it easier to produce a fundamental tone right away.
But for more advanced players, white hair offers better tonal complexity. You get richer overtones. Your sound has more colors to work with.
I've talked to professional bassists who swear by white hair, and others who only use black. The truth is, your entire setup matters. Your bass, your strings, your rosin, your bow stick. All of these factors interact with your hair choice.
According to the String Emporium, "good white hair will grab just as good or better than any other color and lasts longer." They make a compelling point that high-quality white hair outperforms black hair in almost every category. You get a better grip, longer life, and a warmer sound. The catch is that you need to invest in truly good white hair, not the cheap bleached stuff many shops use.
My Take
After years of experimenting, here's what I've learned about double bass black vs. white bow hair.
Quality beats color every time. A bow with excellent white hair will outperform a bow with mediocre black hair, period. But you need to find a bow maker or shop that stocks fresh, high-quality hair. Many shops keep old inventory that's been sitting around, and that hair won't perform well regardless of color.
For beginners, black hair might make sense. It's cheaper, and the coarse texture helps you learn proper bow technique. You'll get sound more easily while you're developing your fundamentals.
For intermediate and advanced players, I recommend trying high-quality white hair or unbleached white. The investment pays off in tone quality and longevity. You'll notice the difference immediately, especially in slower, more lyrical passages.
Now, let me share something that's changed my approach to all of this.
I use the iStrad French bow for my performances and videos. The iStrad bow comes with premium naturally white and black horse hair from the Siberia and Mongolia region. No bleach is used, which matters because bleach is known to make hair brittle. This natural hair provides the grip and tone you need without the downsides of chemically treated hair.
You can check out the iStrad bow here.