I have two similar CF bows, one with white hair and one with black. I like them both. The white hair is definitely more versatile, but the black excels for applications that benefit from its sharp attack and its grittiness. I particularly like it for singing and playing fiddle backup -- I’m able to focus on the singing and let that black hair provide the necessary rhythm with minimal attention. For solo breaks it does require a conscious light touch.

Of course a more highly skilled fiddler would be able to do everything with normal white hair, but this combo works for me. I guess hack fiddlers need special remedial tools, just like amateur golfers rely on “game improvement’ clubs...

INteresting! I have not come across a single player here with black hair in their bow.
If they do, I’m gonna ask to try it, for sure!

We used to call that song "Black is the color of my love's true hair."

I had my CF bow re-haired with black hair a few months ago. I like it. More coarse and grips the string better. A little "gritty".

I was offered a mis of both black and white hair mix (salt and pepper). I may try it.

I've heard this many times...black bows just play better. Congrats on the bow and the playing of the low fiddle...? I guess. I'm guessing...not sure what a tenor fiddle is.

I bought a cheapo cello at one point and had a terrible struggle with it...you had to bow backwards from the ordinary way, and unlike the cheapo viola I had bought earlier, the fingering would not work as usual...I struggled for a while, didn't have enough time to spend learning it...the trash collector saw it one time and he wanted to try it...I put it in his hands and he played it like there's no tomorrow. I asked if he had his own and he says no he couldn't afford one. I told him take it home...it'd be happier with him that it was with me.

But anyway...just congrats on the bow and on learning to play the instrument!

I tried Salt & Pepper hair but for some reason it didn’t appeal to me. Having two distinct choices, white and black, works well for me. I also have two fiddles, with different voices, so it’s interesting to mix & match.

I use the darker hair occasionally. It’s slightly thicker and more course. You can see the rosin going on and how it wears off very plainly.

@tag game I'd be interested to hear a recording comparing the same tune with white hair and black hair. Would be fun to hear how much of the difference comes through.