Information about high end German bows

I was wondering if anyone could give me some names of the top makers for German bows. I already have some bows in mind that I would like to try out, but I would definitely like to hear more about different makers. My price range is about $3500 and a little higher.

[Cory Palmer]

I have an H. Pfretzschner that I bought from Lemur at the last ISB convention. I paid $3,100 for it but didn't have to pay tax on it since it was at a convention. I'm not sure if Lemur regularly has bows by H. Pfretzschner though. They don't list his bows on their website. I think all the makers from Markneukerchin (Dolling, Hoyer, Pfretzschner) make some great bows. I played a Matthias Hoyer snakewood bow a little over a year ago that was great. Most of the bows from Markneukerchin are under $4,000. I think that Hoyer bow was right around $3,000.

Contact some shops and have them send you some bows. Most shops won't have a problem doing this if they know you are serious about buying a bow. I know Lemur asks for a refundable deposit while the bows are out.

[bassist14]

H.R.Pfretzschner
Kurt Dölling
Albert Nürnberger

(EDIT: i´m talking about old (first half of last century) german made german bows)

[Jake]

If you can spend $4500, David Forbes can make you a great bow.

[mcnaire2004]

WOW! I'd never pay more than $300 maybe $500 for a bow. Well then again I havn't played a whole lot of bows to really know much about them.

[Justin K-ski]

I have an Otto Durrschmidt. If you like a light, long stick look for one of his.

[Cory Palmer]

Originally Posted by mcnaire2004

WOW! I'd never pay more than $300 maybe $500 for a bow. Well then again I havn't played a whole lot of bows to really know much about them.

When you start needing a bow that can really perform a $300-$500 bow won't do much. That price range would get you a decent bow to start out on but once you get to a conservatory to professional level of playing that won't do. When you get above $2,000 there is a very noticable difference in the way bows perform. From the sound they can pull from the instrument to the way they respond all contribute to this higher quality. Take a trip up to the Cincinatti Bass Cellar sometime and play on their bows for a while. You will see that the higher prices are justified.

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by Justin K-ski

I have an Otto Durrschmidt. If you like a light, long stick look for one of his.

i had one too.
i liked the small frog. reminded me of the dölling-frogs. but i really never used it much because i have an old kurt dölling, that is one of my favorite bows.

if you want a long stick with a small frog for a reasonable price i recommend the otto dürrschmitds

[Machina]

I have a Snakewood E. Wilfer bow that is very nice quality. I have had this bow for six months and am extremely pleased with the quality of craftsmenship, control it gives me, and sound it produces when combined with my instrument. Valued at $3500 it is a snakewood stick, silver mounted, and buffalo horn frog.