Sweet Music

I have been importing horse tail hair since my first trip to China in 1999. From my experience, many bow makers and luthiers still lack a clear understanding of how horse tail hair is sourced for the Western market. Rumors and misconceptions persist in the industry, with many believing that high-quality bow hair must come from Mongolia or that Siberian and Japanese hair are the best options. Having spent considerable time selling bow hair and discussing it with customers (as well as students in classes at UNH), I wanted to share some insights here as well. About 80% of the horse tail hair sold in North America originates from the Northeast region of China and Inner Mongolia. Generally, the Chinese market does not purchase much hair from Mongolia or Siberia, but they do import a significant amount from South America, where they have established long-term relationships with suppliers. The hair that is imported arrives at the workshop—more of a small, bustling facility than a factory—typi...