Can anyone tell me about my A.LEYVAND bow?

relacey · #1 06-26-2006, 08:52 AM

OK experts, I picked this bow up on ebay a couple of months ago and I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the maker. The only thing I've found is that he may work in a shop in Indiana, USA.

The bow has a round stick and ebony frog. The seller claimed it was Pernambuco, but I don't know enough to say if that is true. The butt of the bow holds a maker's brandstamp "A.LEYVAND" and " IN MEMORY S S" (presumably Stuart Sankey, but who knows). Brand stamp 00 under the stick. There is repaired 2" crack right on top the handle which is barely detectable.

I'm pretty happy with the bow, expecially since I got it at a good price. This is my first and only bass bow and it does the job for me, but I am interested in knowing more about it.

KSB - Ken Smith · #2 06-26-2006, 02:00 PM

Most likely a fictitious name put on a Chinese made Bow. The Chinese make 80% of the bows in the world today from tomotoe sticks to good workable bows.

relacey · #3 06-26-2006, 02:56 PM

Thanks Ken, it's better than a tomato stick, beyond that I can't say.

KSB - Ken Smith · #4 06-26-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by relacey

Thanks Ken, it's better than a tomato stick, beyond that I can't say.

I got that line from a friend in the business. I was having some Bows made and he warned me to beware of Tomatoe sticks. There are some nice Bows made there as well. Wood, design and craftsmanship make a good bow, or not depending on the materials and the maker.

John Sprague · #5 07-19-2006, 07:41 AM

Relacey, it sounds like you're talking about Alex Leyvand, violin maker, bow maker, and the owner of a shop near Indy.

http://www.vscarmel.com/

relacey · #6 07-19-2006, 09:49 AM

Thanks John, I sent an email to Mr. Leyvand and got the following reply:

"Thank you for your inquiry! I have never been a bow maker, so the idea of counterfeiting my name might be accurate. However, I believe I have seen your bow. If I remember correctly, your bow is likely to be made of pernambuco. If there is a luthier or violin maker in your area, they might be able to tell you better from seeing it in person. If you have any other questions, please feel free to let me know. Thanks!"

So, it looks like Ken nailed this one, although I was pretty sure he was right to begin with. I guess I'll go back to looking for the lost Strad violin in the attic

Andy Allen · #7 07-19-2006, 11:10 AM

He says "tomotoe" and you say "tomato"
He says "tomatoe" and you say....

Hey I think I've got enough for a song here...

Andy

relacey · #8 07-19-2006, 12:53 PM

Well, I was born and grew up in KY and now live in TX. English is a second language to me. I always thought it was t'mater, anyway. Catchy lyric though.