Editing Double bass (section)

====Bow construction and materials====
Double bass bows vary in length, ranging from {{convert|60|to(-)|75|cm|in|abbr=on}}. In general, a bass bow is shorter and heavier than a cello bow. [[Brazilwood|Pernambuco]], also known as Brazilwood, is regarded as an excellent quality stick material, but due to its scarcity and expense, other materials are increasingly being used. Inexpensive student bows may be constructed of solid [[Glass-reinforced plastic|fiberglass]], which makes the bow much lighter than a wooden bow (even too light to produce a good tone, in some cases). Student bows may also be made of the less valuable varieties of brazilwood. [[Snakewood]] and [[Graphite-reinforced plastic|carbon fiber]] are also used in bows of a variety of different qualities. The frog of the double bass bow is usually made out of ebony, although snakewood and [[Bovinae|buffalo]] horn are used by some [[:wiktionary:luthier|luthiers]]. The [[frog (music)|frog]] is movable, as it can be tightened or loosened with a knob (like all violin family bows). The bow is loosened at the end of a practice session or performance. The bow is tightened before playing, until it reaches a tautness that is preferred by the player. The frog on a quality bow is decorated with [[mother of pearl]] inlay.

Bows have a leather wrapping on the wooden part of the bow near the frog. Along with the leather wrapping, there is also a wire wrapping, made of [[silver]] in quality bows. The hair is usually [[horsehair]]. Part of the regular maintenance of a bow is having the bow "rehaired" by a [[luthier]] with fresh horsehair and having the leather and wire wrapping replaced. The double bass bow is strung with either white or black horsehair, or a combination of the two (known as "salt and pepper"), as opposed to the customary white horsehair used on the bows of other string instruments. Some of the lowest-quality, lowest cost student bows are made with synthetic hair. Synthetic hair does not have the tiny "barbs" that real horsehair has, so it does not "grip" the string well or take rosin well.