I have a don dow hybrid long bow and need to order a new string for it. Do I order a string that's 3" or 4" shorter than the bow is marked? On 3rivers site it mentions 3" shorter for a longbow and 4" for a recurve. Since mines a hybrid of the 2 I don't know exactly what to do.
It should be the same as any other longbow, 3" shorter. Some bowyers dont build that way though so you may want to call the maker to be sure.
When I make strings for my bows I go 3" shorter for longbows and recurves.My 62" Savannah takes a 59" string,my 62" Hunter recurve takes a 59" string.I just make the loops bigger on a recurve.I made a 59" string for my buddies 62" Black Widow recurve.I like to measure the actual nock to nock length and not go by what is marked on the bow.I feel the old 4" rule for recurves is old school,I've seen a lot of older recurves with a very high brace heights with the 4" shorter rule.
The safest way is to measure the old string if you have it.
Also a call to the bowyer should get your answer.
The 3" and 4" stuff is a rule of thumb. If the bow is marked AMO XX" then the sting is ALWAYS 3" shorter than that number. If if doesn't say AMO (even if it has a number), measure your old string (untwisted). If you don't have a string, call the bowyer. If you don't have an AMO number or old string and can't call the bowyer, THEN try the old rule of thumb. It should be your last resort for determining string length, not your first.
Yep--what Dave said. Even if it is marked "AMO", doesn't guarantee it. With your bow at the proper brace, measure the old string.