visit our website www.filimonovfineviolins.com
"Le violon, c'est l'archet/The violin, it is the bow"-Giovanni Battista Viotti
Up until the standardization of the bow by Franois Tourte c1785, most bows (and their makers) with rare exceptions remained anonymous (before 1750).
Since then (without a doubt thanks to F.X. Tourte),the bow has gained much notoriety to the point where many regard it as being as important to performance as the violin itself.
With an increase in stature, market value of fine (old) bows has soared, which in retrospect has led to refinements in the art of restoration and conservation.
Today we are enjoying a Renaissance in the art of Bow Making, and the level of excellence has never been higher.
***All about Contemporary Bow Makers***- here is my list of todays working Master Bow Makers (the list is still under construction). I have indicated my favorites with (*)
JÉRÔME ABRIEL was born in France and studied violin making in Newark, England.
He studied bow making with Robert Pierce, with whom he now shares a workshop in Brussels.
In the last Bow Making Competition in Manchester, his bow was awarded a Certificate of Merit (vc).
*MORGAN ANDERSEN- world class award winning American maker, attended the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City.Upon graduation, he studied bow making with Frank Passa in San Francisco and since then he has worked in his native Washington State. Prizes: gold medals (va, vc) VSA 1986; gold (vc) VSA 1988, and Gold medal at 2011 Etienne Vatelot Competition. Between 1992 and 2006 he has judged bows at four VSA competitions.
JOHN ANIANO - made his earliest bows under the guidance of William Salchow and he has worked for bow maker Yung Chin since early 2002. John's modern bows are made using a personal model inspired by Pajeot and Adam. Prizes: two certificates of merit (va & vc) VSA 2004.
ALEXANDRE AUMONT - learned bow making in Mirecourt. Worked in Jean-Francois Raffin’s shop from 1996-2004. Works in the shop of Arthur Dubroca. Featured article in The Strad, “Up and Coming Maker: Alexander Aumont” January 2008 Vol. 119 No 1413 page 21. Winner of silver medal at RNCM and silver medal at 2011 Etienne Vatelot Competition in Paris.
PEG BAUMGARTEL-was trained by Paul Siefried for seven years mainly in restoration and also attended the first five years of the Oberlin Bow Workshop where she worked with Stephane Thomachot, Yung Chin, Francois Malo and Morgan Andersen. Awards: 3 Certificates VSA 1990; Certificate of Merit Paris 1991.
STEVEN BECKLEY began making bows under tutelage of William Salchow. He worked for and studied bow making under Boyd Poulsen. He began making bows full time in 1986 and earned a Journey Man's Degree from AFVBM.
SILVIO BENDIG studied bow making in Markneukirchen. He worked with Albert Nürnberger and spent four years with W. Bouman in Den Haag, Holland. He currently works with Geigenbaumeister Peter Benedek in
Munich, Germany.
ETZLER BERND has restored many priceless old French bows, which allowed him to study in depth their makers’ techniques. He worked with outstanding masters and regularly visited Thomachot’s workshop in Paris. He established his workshop near Budapest in 1992. Prizes: Certificate of Merit (vc) in Manchester 2007.
*SYLVAIN BIGOT world class contemporary French maker, studied bow making at Mirecourt 1987-1992 and then worked with Jean-François Raffin in Paris where he was workshop manager for nine years. Prizes:Concours Etienne Vatelot Paris 1999. Gold Medal at 2011 “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” competition."
*NOEL BURKE- world class award winning maker: gold medal winner at the Manchester International Cello Festival in 1998, awarded six gold medals at the Violin Society of American Competitions in 1994 and 1996. In December 1999 he was awarded a Gold medal (violin bow) at the Vatelot Competition in Paris. Noel Burke studied bowmaking under Charles Espey (USA) and Stephane Tomachot (France) After working in Paris and Cremona (Italy) he set up his workshop in Ireland in 1998.
*PASCAL CAMURAT - world class contemporary French luthier and bow maker. Born in 1960, he trained as a violin maker in Mittenwald. Since then, his career has gradually become enriched in all facets of the music business: manufacturing of instruments and bows, repairing, restoration, trading of instruments and expertise. Having made his first bow in Paul Siegfried’s shop in Los Angeles in 1984, he completed his bow training with Stephane Thomachot. While in LA, he completed his training in restoration of instruments with internships at Hans Weisshaar (Los Angeles, 1985) and in the studio of Charles Beare (London, 1987) after which he succeeded his father Jacques Camurat in Paris for 10 years with his brother Bernard. His professional activities have led him to become secretary general of the International Society of Violin and Bow Makers. He now chairs the Association of Violin and Bow Makers of France.
EMMANUEL CARLIER - award winning French maker was born in 1975 near Paris.
After studying at La Sorbonne he lernt the art of violinmaking in the workshop of François Perrin.His focus quickly turned to bows and he spent two years learning the craft in Tours with Gilles Duhaut. He then joined the Maison Bernard with Pierre Guillaume in Brussels where he developped his taste for antique bows and specialized in restoration.In 2009, he set up his own workshop, sharing his time between
his belgian bench and his parisian workshop. He devotes himself to restoration as well as bow making of the quartet and double bass. In 2011, his work has been recognized by the Marcel Vatelot Foundation and he received a grant to develop his workshop. Awards:Violin Society of America 2012 : 3 Gold Medals - Gold medal (violin) Gold medal (cello) Gold medal (Double Bass), International competition, Mittenwald 2010 : Gold medal (viola) Silver medal (cello)
*EDWIN CLEMENT contemporary Belgian born world class bow maker. Edwin loves to make many different models. All very much with a feel of the finest 19th century bows of Tourte, Maire, Peccatte. Edwin Clement was Gold Medal Winner at Vatelot Competition 1999 and voted the best Maker of France.
CHRISTOPHE COLLINET- was born in France in 1969 and learned bow making from both Poullot in Dijon and Loic Le Canu in Caen and Paris.He worked with Le Canu-Millant for four years in Paris and since 1993, works in Munich, Germany.
*JOSE DACUNHA award winning maker. Learned his craft from Frank Torres.
FRANCK DAGUIN studied and worked with Jean-Frederic Schmitt for ten years and then with luthier Daniel Scaffi before settling in Lyon, France. Prizes: mention speciale Paris 1991; Grand Prix des Metiers d'Art Lyon 1992; mention speciale Paris 2004.
MARTIN DEVILLERS - is an award winning French archetier (bowmaker).
MARK DREHMANN trained at the Salchow shop in New York City and has worked there since January 2008. When not carrying out repairs, he makes bows in the old French style, modelling makers such as François Tourte and Dominique Peccatte.
BERND ETZLER studied and worked at the Franz Liszt Music Academy in the Hungarian capital from 1986 to 1992. In 1993 he established his own workshop in Gšd near Budapest. From 1997-99 he worked with Pierre Guillaume in Brussels and returned to his workshop inÊGšd in 2000. Prizes: certificate of merit Manchester 2007.
ARTHUR DUBROCA - born in 1971, studied bow making in Mirecourt. Worked for Jean-Francois Raffin from 1996 - 2004. Opened his own shop in 2004. Shares the workshop with Alexandre Aumont.
GILLES DUHAUT studied with Bernard Ouchardin Mirecourt in 1973. He now owns shops in Tours and Paris after working 15 years in Mirecourt. Musicora 1st Prize Paris 1993 (Special Sonority).
*CHARLES ESPEY Paris/Port Townsend, WA. Legendary world class maker. Charles ESPEY learned his craft with Herman BISCHOFBERGER and David SAUNDERS in Seattle, then with Robert SHALLOK, Martin DEVILLERS and with Stephane Thomachot. In 1993 he won the gold medal at the Kassel International competition.Espey's bows are in great demand.
RODNEY FLETCHER is an instrument and bow maker working in New York. He was the apprentice of Carlos Arcieri in New York for six years whose shop was next to William Salchow's. During this period he became a friend of Isaac Salchow who taught him to make bows.
BORIS FRITSCH excellent young maker (maker to watch), studied violin making at Mirecourt from 1988-1993 and in 1999 became a restorer with Atelier Jean-François Raffin in Paris. In 2002 he established his own making workshop in Monmartre, Paris. Prizes: special mention for a contemporary creation (db) Paris 2004; certificate of merit (db) and gold medal (vc) Manchester 2007, Silver medal at 2011 Etienne Vatelot Competition in Paris.
ÉRIC FOURNIER was born in France in 1985 and learned bow making with Stéphane Muller, Gilles Duhaut, Georges Tepho and Edwin Clement. He has worked with Ulf Johansson in Sweden and is now in the workshop of Yannick LeCanu in Lille. He received 1st Prize from the SEMA Jeunes in 2005 (vn), 2 Gold Medals (as well as a certificate of merit) at the 2010 Violin Society of America competition, Silver medal at 2011 Etienne Vatelot Competition in Paris.
PIERRE-YVES FUCHS trained as a luthier in Brienz and as a repairer with Weinstein in Tel Aviv, before studying bow making with Gilles Duhaut, Pierre Guillaume and Benoit Rolland.Prizes: gold medal (db) and certificates of merit (vn, va, vc) VSA 2000; gold medal (va) and certificates of merit (vn, vc, db) VSA 2002; bronze award (vn) BVMA; gold medals (vn, va, vc, db) VSA 2004; silver medal (vc) and gold medal (db) Paris 2004. Member of the jury VSA 2006
HUGO GABRIEL studied bow making with his brother, Josef Gabriel in Erlangen, Germany. He was awarded a certificate of merit (va) VSA 1994 and certificates of merit (va & vc) VSA 1996. His cello bows follow the Tourte model.
*JOSEF GABRIEL- world class award winning maker, has run his own workshop in Erlangen, Germany, since 1987. Prizes: silver medal Manchester 1992, a gold medal and tone award Mittenwald 1993, gold medal (vc) VSA 1996 and silver and bronze medals (vn & vc) Mittenwald 1997. In 2011, he co-authored the definitive iconography on Nikolai KITTEL (life and work) with co-authors Klaus Gruenke & Yung Chin, published by Darling publications.
ERIC GAGNE worked for several years at Blaise Emmelin, first as an apprentice and then as an assistant. He then worked at Maison Bernard for Pierre Guillaume in Brussels, where he also trained in the art of bow restoration. He now has a workshop in Montreal where he makes his bows; he also works with the Wilder and Davis workshop where he restores and sells bows throughout Canada. Prizes: Finalist Paris 2012. http://www.archet-ericgagne-bow.com/
*THOMAS GERBETH- world class award winning maker,studied with Wolfgang Durrschmidt and R. Herbert Leicht and worked with Richard Grunke 1991-1997 before establishing his own workshop in Vienna. Prizes: gold Manchester 1992, bronze Manchester 1994, 2 gold, 1 silver Mittenwald 1997.
THOMAS GOERING first trained as a violin maker and then discovered the great passion of his career when he studied bow making with William Salchow and then with David Samuels in 1995. In 2005 he established his own workshop in Topeka, Kansas, where he concentrates on bow making, repair and restoration. Prizes: Certificate of Merit (vc) VSA 1998; Certificates of merit (va) (vn) VSA 2012. http://goeringbows.blogspot.co.uk/
*ERIC GRANDCHAMP was introduced to wood carving at a very young age, since he was taught the relevant skills in his father«s workshop. Very early on, he became interested in bow-making, and in 1977 entered the bow-making school at Mirecourt, at the age of 15. He then continued his training with a maitre-luthier (or master stringed-instrument maker) in Geneva (in Switzerland), where he also met jewellers and engravers who taught him valuable skills that he applies in his original work. His bows are precise, with a sonorous sound, and have a very personal style attached to them; musicians and soloists across the world very quickly get to appreciate them.Took part in many international competitions where he has won most of the gold medals and the prized Meilleur Ouvrier de France title, which is awarded to France's best craftsmen. Since 1986, most of his production has been exported to Japan, where his customers appreciate his refined style and the sound of his bows.
HOWARD GREEN has a workshop in Fife, Scotland. He initially trained as a professional cellist and has been making bows inspired by Sartory and Lamy since 1992.
*JEAN GRUNBERGER-award winning French maker.He has taught and inspired a new generation of makers. His pupils are already famous bow makers in North America such as John Greenwood, Pierre-Yves Fuchs, Ole Kanestrom, Zdzislaw Prochownik, Lee Guthrie and Jean Luc Tauziede. He was born in Orthez, France 1957.Graduated Mirecourt Bow School and also learned from several famous Maestro's in Paris.Prizes: Gold medal Vatelot Competition 1999 (Paris, France),2nd prize-Bass Bow in 1991 by Violin and Bow Making Competitions in Paris(ACDA), Gold Medal (Violin Bow)in 1984 VSA,Gold Medal in 1986 (bass bow) VSA.In last 10 years, he has been concentrating on educating young bow makers in Salt Lake City in Utah. He has also gone back to Orthez, France 5 years ago.He has also taught bow making classes in Marist Collage in Poughkeepsie,New York & OBERLIN College.His current production (about 30 years of making) consists of 70% Bass Bows, 20% Cello Bows and 5% of Violin/Viola Bows.
*KLAUS GRUNKE studied with his father, Richard for three years and with Hans Weisshar in Los Angeles for two years. He won two gold medals (va & vc) VSA 1980 and a silver medal Kassel 1983 and has judged many international competitions.
*RICHARD GRUNKE studied with Edwin Herrmann and at the Pfretzschner workshop. He joined the Paesold workshop in 1957 and in 1975 set up his own business in Bubenreuth. He has been invited to judge numerous international competitions. In 1996 he formed a company with his sons, Klaus and Thomas.
*THOMAS GRUNKE studied bow making with his father, and continues to work alongside his father and brother, Klaus in Langensendelbach, Germany. He is also an experienced restorer of valuable antique bows and his new work is profoundly influenced by the work of Peccatte, Voirin and Sartory.
*PIERRE GUILLAUME learnt his craft following world-class masters, BAZIN, MORIZOT, OUCHARD and others, who passed on to him techniques reaching back several centuries. For his bows he uses only the best pernambuco and has been making periodic trips to Brazil since 1982 to select it in person.He has now accumulated a very large stock of wood enough to last him thirty years from which he can choose the most suitable for each bow.He is an active member of the IPCI, an association of professionals that strives to protect and promote sustainable use of pernambuco, the best wood for bow-making.Today, the name Guillaume is widely recognised as standing for commitment, bow-making of unequalled quality and authoritative appraisals of old bows.
LYNN ARMOUR HANNINGS -Studied bowmaking with John Roskoski and William Salchow of NY; Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship & the Annette Kade Fellowshipthe Annette Kade Fellowship of New York; Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and spent a year studying in Paris with Bernard Millant (the world-renowned authority of French bow making).Teacher of bow rehairing, restoration and bow making for historical preservation at universities in the United States.Professional Bassist; Member, Portland Symphony Orchestra.President, IPCI-USA,ÊMember, American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers,Member, Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers d'Art.
JOSHUA HENRY bowmaker and restorer. He began playing the violin in a public school music program in the 4th grade, in his home town of Boise, Idaho. At fifteen, James Telford and his son Steve took him in as an apprentice in 1986 in the shop at Telford & Son's Violins, where he learned the trade, and worked for over twelve years.
His specific interest in bows was sparked by the four bows that were in my teacher’s case. Leah had one bow that she played with most of the time--a Vigneron, but she also had a James Tubbs, a Sartory, and a second Vigneron. I was amazed at how each bow pulled a different sound from her instrument, and how each responded differently. This fascination grew into a desire to learn more about every aspect of bows—their makers and history, their maintenance and repair, their playability, and ultimately how to make them.
In the fall of 1999, he moved to Salt Lake City to work with a French Master Bowmaker, Benoit Rolland. He studied with Mr. Rolland for one year, learning the traditional French method of hand-crafting violin bows. Mr. Rolland was a meticulous master, teaching him not only how to make the tools needed, but more importantly, how to use them properly. He taught how to carefully select the best wood, how to rough it down, and how to craft the playability of each stick. In his teaching, Mr. Rolland focused particular attention on the cambering of the bow, and how in combination with the graduation (or tapering down) of the stick, he taught me to draw out the playing characteristics of each piece of wood. Ultimately, this process of transforming a piece of wood by crafting it by hand results in a bow that not only plays superbly, but is aesthetically pleasing as well.
Recent training has continued by attending the summer bow making workshops in Oberlin, Ohio. These workshops, sponsored by the Violin Society of America, have given me the opportunity to work with many fine bowmakers from across the United States and Europe. His is now located in northern Purclleville, Virginia.
DAOUDI HASSOUN was born in Charente (France) and graduated from the Newark School of violin making in 2008. He since trained as a bow maker with Blaise Emmelin and Robert Pierce in Brussels where he now works with Atelier Flagey in collaboration with violin makers Catherine Janssens and Joanne Vanbostrehaut and bow maker Blaise Emmelin.
DAVID HAWTHORNE studied with William Salchow in the 1980’s and at Oberlin workshops from 1994 – 2001; he also spent workshop time with Stephane Thomachot and worked for Reuning & Son for 8 years. Prizes: Five certificates of merit VSA; Silver medal (vn) Mittenwald 2014. http://www.violinbows.net/
ULF JOHANSSON studied bow making with Charles Espey, C.Hans-Karl Schmidt and Brian Tunnicliffe.
He established his own workshop in 1993 in Sweden. Prize: Silver Medal (vn) Mittenwald 1993.
GERALD KNOLL worked with Hans-Karl Schmidt in Dresden. Master Degree 1998. Prizes: Mention Spéciale (vn) Paris 1999; two Gold Medals (vn & vc) Mittenwald 2001.
STEFFEN KUHNLA studied bowmaking in Markneukirchen with R. Herbert Leicht. German Master Degree 1988. Prizes: 2007 Moscow's Tchaikovsky Violin Craftsmen Competition, 1st Prize (vn), 3rd Prize (va), 2nd Prize (vc).
MARCIN KRUPA trained with Gregor Walbrodt 2001-2002. Prizes: Certificate of Merit (vn) BVMA London; Certificate of Merit (va) Paris 2004; Bronze medals (vn & va) Mittenwald 2005.
*YANNICK LE CANU world class contemporary French maker, studied with Bernard Millant, Gilles Duhaut and Eric Grandchamp. Prizes: youngest maker award (va) and mention speciale (vn) Paris 1999; certificates of merit (vn & va) VSA 2002; certificate of merit BVMA London 2004; Gold Medal (vn) VSA 2004; 2 silver medals (vn & va) and mention speciale Paris 2004; 2 Gold Medals (vn) VSA 2006; Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2007; 2 gold medals (vn & vc) VSA 2008 "Hors Concours"!!
ERIC LANE - began his studies under Jon Crumrine in Atlanta. He continued his education with Rodney Mohr and Jerry Pasewicz at the Oberlin workshop where he has been a regular participant since 2000. He is currently the head bowmaker at Reuning & Son Violins in Boston. Eric has won several Certificate of Merit at VSA and ISB competitions.
*GARY LEAHY- world class contemporary Irish maker. Initially trained in violin repair and restoration in New Zealand where he lived for six years. Upon his return to Ireland in 2002, he trained as a bowmaker with Noel Burke. Having worked with Noel for 3 years, he set up his own shop in 2005. During 2009-2010 he spent a year in Paris at L’Atelier d’Arthur the workshop of Arthur Dubroca and Alexandre Aumont. Awards include 3 Gold medals at VSA 2010 (violin, viola & cello bows), and Gold medal at 2011 Etienne Vatelot Competition. His is back in Ireland where he now lives and works.
DIRK LÖSCHER was born in Leipzig, studied bow making in Markneukirchen. German Master Degree 1994, studied bow making with Pierre Guillaume in Brussels, Belgium. He has his own shop in Barcelona.
*TINO LUCKE studied bow making in Markneukirchen and then worked for Hieronymus Kostler in Stuttgart. He now runs a workshop in Berlin. Prizes: bronze (vc) and silver (vn) Paris 1999; gold (vn) BVMA 2004.
MICHAEL MAURUSHAT trained as a goldsmith in Alberta, Canada and studied bow making with Roy Quade and at the Oberlin bow making workshop 2001. Prizes: certificate for outstanding playing characteristics, BVMA London 2004.
*FRANCOIS MALO-French/Canadian bow maker who trained with William Salchow and Stephane Thomachot. He lives in Canada.
JOHANNES MIETHING has worked with Pierre Guillaume in Brussels since 2000.Johannes and four colleagues also recently opened a workshop in Cologne - Henleys - so he now divides his time between Brussels and Cologne. Prizes: silver and young participant prize Mittenwald 2001.
ANDREW MCGILL trained and worked with the ex-W.E Hill & Sons bow maker, John Clutterbuck. He is now based in Banbury, Oxford and is particularly inspired by the work of Tourte and Pajeot.
*ROBERT MORROW world class American maker, was a student of Charles Espey in Port Townsend. He won gold medals for his violin, viola and cello bows at the 2004 Violin Society of America competition as well as 2006 and 2008.Hors Concours.
STEPHANE MULLER studied with Bernard Ouchard at Mirecourt and after travelling in Brazil to improve his knowledge of pernambuco, he established a workshop in Toulouse, France in 1984. Prizes: bronze (viola)Paris 1999.
*GILLES NEHR superb maker who studied bow making with his cousin, Jean-Pascal Nehr in Marseille and then worked with Stephane Muller in Toulouse and Rene Morel in New York. He ran workshops in New York (1999-2002) Lisbon (2002-2004) and is now established in Rome. Prizes: Certificate of Merit Craftsmanship BVMA London.
*JEAN-PASCAL NEHR, world class maker.'Meilleur Ouvrier de France', studied with Bernard Ouchard at Mirecourt and now works in Marseille, France. Prizes: Certificate of merit for workmanship Manchester 2001.
PIERRE NEHR studied bow making with his brother, Jean-Pascal Nehr 1995-1998 and then studied restoration 1998-2000. He worked with Gilles Chancereul in Paris 2000-2002 and now works in Marseille.
PETER OXLEY-leading British bow-maker (archetier) and a jazz guitarist, and raconteur par excellence is based in Headington, Oxford;Pete's site is at present devoted to his activities as a jazz musician, and lists upcoming gigs and CD releases:http://www.peteoxley.com
JEAN MARC PANHALEUX- world class award winning French Maker. Has been teaching the younger generation of makers some of whom have become award winning makers. Prizes: Grand Prize Vatelot Competition (1991) for a bass bow.
ROBERT PIERCE was apprenticed to William Hofmann and also trained with John Clutterbuck and William Salchow. He worked with Pierre Guillaume for 10 years and established an independent workshop in Brussels in 1998. He is an elected member of Groupe des Luthiers et Archetiers d'Art de France. Prizes: best playing bow Manchester on two consecutive occasions.
BOYD POULSEN-has done both violin and bow work with John Bolander, William Salchow, and Hans Weisshaar.He served as president of the AFVBM 1991-1993 and was a bow judge for the 2000 International Competition sponsored by the VSA.
ROY QUADE trained with William Salchow in New York. His bows have won an unprecedented four gold medals (vn VSA 1996; va & vc VSA 1998; va VSA 2004) a silver medal BVMA London and fifteen merit awards at competitions in the USA and the UK.
PETER RIEDL studied bow making 1977–1987 with Roderich Paesold in Bubenreuth. Master Degree 1987; four Bronze Medals Mittenwald 1989, 1993, 2001.
*BENOIT ROLLAND legendary world class maker, studied at Mirecourt with Bernard Ouchard. He has received numerous international prizes for his pernambuco bows and also patented a carbon fibre bow which won the Musicora prize in 1994.
WOLFGANG ROMBERG studied bow making with Derek Wilson and Thomas Gerbeth and he has run his own shop in Munich, Germany, since 1999.
EMELIE SABATHIER studied at Newark School of Violin Making from 2005-2009 and then moved to Brussels to study bow making with Pierre Guillaume until 2013. She is now in the process of settling in France.
PAUL SADKA trained as a professional cellist and studied bow making with Noel Burke in Ireland and in Cremona, Italy.He now lives and works in Paris and specialises in cello bows.Prizes include a merit award (vc) Manchester 2001.
*ISAAC SALCHOW world class American maker studied with his grandfather, William Salchow and now works with Salchow & Sons. His bows are close copies of originals by Tourte, Persoit and Pajeot.
STEPHEN SALCHOW was taught by his father, William Salchow and his nephew Isaac. He is currently making close copies of bows by Peccatte and Pajeot.
*WILLIAM SALCHOW (1926-2014) legendary American maker who first studied bow making and repair under Simone Sacconi in New York and then at Mirecourt with Georges Barjonnet. He opened his own New York studio in 1960 where he has been making bows and inspiring bow makers ever since.
DAVID SAMUELS studied bowmaking with Stephane Thomachot, and worked for Etienne Vatelot, Amnon Weinstein, Rene Morel and Jacques Francais. Prizes: gold (vc) VSA 1992, gold (vn, va & vc) VSA 1994, gold Manchester 1994, and gold (vn, va & vc) VSA 1996. David has since has served on the juries of the VSA and City of Paris competitions.
*MITSUAKI SASANO award winning world class maker.Born in Japan,studied with R.Neudorfer 1987-1996,and then with S.Thomachot 1997-2000.Opened his own Atelier in Paris(2001).Prizes:2 Gold Medals (violin & cello bows) VSA 1998, bronze medal 1999 Vatelot Competition,3 Gold Medals (violin, Viola & cello bows) VSA 2000,Gold MedalÊMittenwald (Germany) 4th Intenational Competition 2001,The winner of Meilleurs Ouvriers de France(2004),2 Grand Prix (viola &Êcello bows)ÊConcours Etienne Vatelot 2004.
*DANIEL SCHMIDT- this master bowmaker was born in Klingenthal, Germany, and studied for eight years with his father, C. Hans-Karl Schmidt, in Dresden, continuing a 200-year-old family tradition of violin- and bow-making.He is the winner of two gold medals (1989) in the international competition in Mittlenwald.He worked with Amnon Weinstein in Tel Aviv during 1992-93 and since then has taken part in Keshet Eilon each summer as co-director of the violin- and bow-making atelier.He is a member of Entente International des Maitre Luthiers et Archetiers d'Art and of the Association of Violin- and Bow-makers of Germany.
*HANS-KARL SCHMIDT received his master title in 1963 and moved to Dresden, Germany in 1974. Prizes: two Gold Medals 1969; served as jury member at numerous international competitions.He is also well-known as an expert on bows of the German school and a co-author of the publication Deutsche Bogenmacher,German Bow Makers.
*JOCHEN SCHMIDT - apprenticed in the workshop of his father Hans-Karl Schmidt,starting in 1985.He received his master title in 1997 and runs his own shop in Dresden.Prizes: several awards in international competitions in Paris 1991 and in Mittenwald 1993.
*PAUL MARTIN SIEFRIED, Port Townsend, WA. Siefried is arguably the best award winning maker of his generation and has taught some of the top contemporary bow makers.
JOHN STAGG has been making bows for more than 30 years.He worked at W E Hill & Sons and became their senior bow maker before establishing his own workshop in Bristol, UK.Prizes: certificate for playing quality (vc) Manchester 1992.www.johnstaggbows.co.uk
ARNAUD SUARD- at 17 started bowmaking withÊ Bernard OUCHARD in Mirecourt (Vosges),completed his formative years with Master Maker Jacques Camurat. Later worked in Amsterdam as shop foreman at the prestigious house of Max MOLLER Luthier-Expert. Awards include:Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Paris,France 1994), Gold Medal VSA 1986,Gold Medal (Ottawa, Canada) 1984,Certificate of Merit, (Kassel,Germany 1983), Professional Training Certificate, (Mirecourt,France 1980)
*JEAN-LUC TAUZIÈDE a superb maker who studied bow making with Jean-François Raffin and Stephane Thomachot before setting up his own workshop in Anglet, France. Recipient of "Grand Prix des Metiers d'art en France 2008"and Gold Medal at 2011 “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” competition."
MALCOLM TAYLOR spent three of his teenage years in the workshop of W.E. Hill & Sons in London, England. He shared the task of making Hill’s “first grade” bows with William Watson. Malcolm left the Hill shop to take up private work in 1973.
DAVID TEMPEST has been a professional viola player all his working life and has also been making bows for the last eighteen years. His cello bows are influenced by the work of Sartory.
GEORGES TEPHO works in Quimper, France. Prizes: gold (vc) VSA 1994, two certificates of workmanship VSA 1994 and bronze Mittenwald, 1991.
*STEPHANE THOMACHOT legendary world class award winning French maker.Tomachot's style remains very personal, and is also inspired by the famous bow makers of the 19th century and early 20th century. Concerning the sound, the making is marked by the great masters of the first half of the 19th century.
STEPHEN THOMSON studied instrument making and repair at Merton College, London and joined J.P. Guivier & Co in 1996.Initially working on instruments, he has spent the last five years specialising in bow repair and set up his own restoration and making workshop in 2006.www.bowsurgery.com
ROGER TREAT- trained by Lynn Hannings and George Rubino at UNH, and Rodney Mohr and Jerry Pasewicz at Oberlin College.He has made more than a hundred bows for use by classical, jazz, and traditional musicians.They are sold in selected music shops around the country, including Stamell's Stringed Instruments in Amherst, Massachusetts.Many also know him as a Cape Breton-style fiddler who plays regularly at the Monday night contra dance in Nelson, as well as many other dance halls throughout the region.It's not hard to notice, between tunes, his friendly manner and engaging laughter.
*GREGOR WALBRODT- world class award winning maker, trained with Jean-Marc Panhaleux and Stephane Thomachot in France. Awards include: gold (vn) VSA 1996; two gold medals Mittenwald 1997; gold (va) VSA 1998; certificates of merit Manchester 1996 and 1998; two gold medals (vc & vn) VSA 2000 and bronze Manchester 2001.
JUTTA WALCHER was an apprentice with Garner Wilson and then worked with Matthew Coltman. Since 1995 her mentor has been bow maker Peter Oxley. Prizes: bronze Manchester 1998 and fourth prize (va) Paris 1999.
CHRISTIAN WANKA studied bow making for 3 years with his father and worked in Toronto before returning to work in the family workshop in Baiersdorf, Germany.
HERBERT WANKA studied bow making at Bubenreuth 1952-55 and worked for Gotthard Schuster for many years before setting up his own workshop in 1971. He now works in Baiersdorf, Germany.
MATTHEW WEHLING award winning American maker,studied bow making with William Salchow, Benoit Rolland and Georges Tepho, with whom he worked as assistant for 5 years. He now works in Minneapolis, USA. Prizes: Gold medals (vn & vc) VSA 2002 and certificate of merit (va) VSA 2002, two Gold medals at VSA 2006, and Gold medal at 2011 Etienne Vatelot Competition.
RICHARD WILSON was an apprentice of Garner Wilson and then established his own workshop in Cambridge where he makes, repairs and restores bows.
DEREK F. WILSON-studied bow making with W.E. Hill & Sons in London, England. He worked for Peter Benedek in 1985 and established his own workshop in England in 1991.
MARK YAKOUSHKIN came to bow making after art school.He received a short period of tuition with Steven Bristow in 1978 and then worked as a maker and repairer for Haken and Bell in Abingdon.In 1983 he and two violin making colleagues established Oxford Violins which is still trading in its original form today. www.oxfordviolins.com
MICHAEL YEATS has been a musical instrument maker for over 35 years and a bow maker since 1987. He began his bow repair and bow making studies in the shop of William Salchow. He opened his own workshop in New York City in 1989. In order to focus more fully on making bows, he moved his workshop to Portland, Oregon, in 2002.
ROGER ZABINSKI studied with Vaido Radamus, Martin Beilke, William Salchow. He was elected a member of the AFVBM in 1985. Awards include: gold (vn) VSA 1986; numerous certificates of merit from the VSA. He lives and works in Minneapolis, USA and has been a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers since 1985. In 2010 he was elected a member of the Entente Internationale des Maîtres Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art.
Copyright © Gennady Filimonov 2007
Here is a fun list of discussions where Gennady Filimonov has talked about bows
1.Shopping for contemporary bow-Can anyone give me a suggestion of contemporary bows I can purchase for $3000-4000?(6/17/2005) http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=7103
2.I'm looking around for a new violin bow, and am thinking of commissioning one from a modern maker.(8/14/2005) http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=7444
3.Contemporary bow makers-Who are some of the best contemporary bow makers and how much do their bows cost?(6/4/2006) http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=9221
4.Looking for a great modern bow (2/27/2007) http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=10792
Filimonov Fine Violins represents Yannick Le Canu, Sylvain Bigot, Jean-Luc Tauziede and Pascal Camurat.
For sales please call (206) 789-4760 and visit us at www.filimonovfineviolins.com
For any inquiries: email
Copyright © 2003 GennadyFilimonov All Rights Reserved Website last updated May 1, 2011
