Also something that really makes a cool bow is suigy working the maple. Lightly torching it with a broad torch until it toasts. if you do it right it looks great. You do have to watch the veneers and I like to torch them when the veneer is heavy and then lightly sand over it and do all the rest of my sanding from the other side.
Kirks got it going on with the tinting though . It ties the whole bow together. limbs and riser. I believe that even with the torching I will also use the tint on top of it. That just looks awsome to me.
God bless you all, Steve