Tom Owen Bow

[Dandy Dan]

Well I decided to go ahead and get this bow he had. It's a round french that weighs 156.8. Sounds heavy but feels and sound really good. He said he made it for another fellow who was in the San Fran Orchestra and had moved to Dallas. He also said he made after a Vicenzo DeLuccia that the player sent him.
Tom was really nice and mailed another bow to compare it to along with the bows I already had. 750.00 Was his price and I really do enjoy it.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

How can he MAKE a handmade Bow in the western world for only $750? I find this hard to believe when handmade Bows today are ranging from over 2k to 6k on average.

I have seen some great Chinese Bows from $600 -$1,200 (depending on the fittings and who is selling them) that easily pass for a handmade Bow. Wait, they ARE handmade. I forgot that being made by hand in China can still mean handmade. A hand is a hand, is it not?

In either case, I would be suprised if this Owens guy is making Bows himself and selling them for $750. I have a Lipkins Bow that is one of the most expensive I know of so if it was even 1/2 the price still... The guy that originally ordered my Bow needed it balanced differently for Solo playing. It came with a solid Silver Screw. She made another one split with Ebony and Silver and the extra Screw made to fit and balance that Bow was $500.

Even if this is only half the price and he still has to make a Frog and complete Stick HOW in the world is it possible for the Bow to be made for $750?

I will only believe it when I see him making the entier Bow, Frog and Screw before my own eyes.

Re-hairing or Re-cambering or even branding and selling does not constitute making. If I am wrong about this, PLEASE correct me. Until then, that $750 bow could still be over priced if you look at it thru my eyes.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Sorry to be questioning the origin but I just Googled him and found these two Links.

http://www.violinsetc.com/violinsetc...f_id=TomOwen04

https://shop1.mailordercentral.com/l...?number=AB300G

The second Link shows a German Bow for $750 from a store. It looks almost exactly like my German D. Tecchler model and ours is made in China. Now for a Store to sell it for that price and make money, how much are they paying for the Bow?

The first link is a Tom Owen listing and Bio of where he was trained and by Whom. How does that at all matter if they list it for $800 and discount it to $650. How much do THEY pay for the Bow to sell it at that price?

Get my drift here? These can ONLY be Chinese Bows from those prices with those materials. There are some great Bow makers in China and they have the wood to make them. I just suggest NOT to be bragging about a maker unless HE is actually doing the making.

I am sure these Bows are a nice BRAND to buy but in no way in my mind are they to be compared to Bows made here in North America by hand UNLESS they actually out play and perform some of them. Actually, our Bows do that on occassion so I will not be suprised in some cases but compared to a Bow like Lipkins, no Cigar there fellas. The Lipkins is at the top of the Class along with the other makers bringing in over 4k per Bow with a waiting list.

[Dandy Dan]

Attachment 38408Ken I do see your point. However I was just passing on the info as it was explained to me. I have some photos of the bow so maybe some more talk may occur.

[Dandy Dan]

By the way how do I get more photos on this thang!!!

[KingOfAmps]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

How can he MAKE a handmade Bow in the western world for only $750?

This thread caught my eye because one of my bows is a Tom Owen. But like others I do not know much of the heritage (so to speak).

I saw this in another thread. I'm not vouching for the accuracy. Don't know myself:

Originally Posted by Chasarms

Lastly, there have been a few comments here at TBDB about the cost of the Owen bows and how they are undervalued. I absolutely agree, but in my conversations with him, I discovered something that contributes greatly to the affordability of these bows.

He doesn't make is own frogs. He orders factory-milled frogs from Germany. They are very well made, fully lined and feature wonderful abalone eyes and slides. But, because of this, the fit of the frog and the screw is not quite to the caliber of a one-of-a-kind, master-crafted piece.

He says he is capable, but it would double the cost of his work. I personally think it is a fair trade. I can't imagine owning a bow of this quality without some concession. With a hand-crafted and custom-fitted frog, this bow would easily get $1,500.

source: Sold two. Bought a Tom Owen (w/initial impressions)

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Yesterday I looked at one of the leading distributor catalogs for Bow making supplies. The Stick, Frog and Tip will cost well over $200. wholesale/cost. One dealer has his Bow at $650. From that, they too are making a profit as well. How much did 'Owens charge for the Bow. Even if it is a consignment sale for about 20% which is the low average that leaves him with only about $520. for the Bow, less about $220 for supplies and hair netting only $300. So this means he is working a week to a week and a half, 40-60 hours for $300? This means he is CHINESE! ..Si chin...

Just kidding.. but this is very possible, right? If he works quicker, he can make more per hour than the highschool girl at the drive-thru Burger King. At least he can make his own hours..

[Aroneng]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

Yesterday I looked at one of the leading distributor catalogs for Bow making supplies. The Stick, Frog and Tip will cost well over $200. wholesale/cost. One dealer has his Bow at $650. From that, they too are making a profit as well. How much did 'Owens charge for the Bow. Even if it is a consignment sale for about 20% which is the low average that leaves him with only about $520. for the Bow, less about $220 for supplies and hair netting only $300. So this means he is working a week to a week and a half, 40-60 hours for $300? This means he is CHINESE! ..Si chin...

Just kidding.. but this is very possible, right? If he works quicker, he can make more per hour than the highschool girl at the drive-thru Burger King. At least he can make his own hours..

Mr. Owen lives in Colgate Oklahoma and I believe he learned his craft from Lynn Hannings and George Rubino.

If anyone would like to contact Tom and judge for yourself please PM for his phone number.

[Jake]

Why doesn't somebody call Mr. Owens up and ask him if he really makes the $750 bows? Unless he has a huge, burdened heart for the financially challenged bassist, that's pretty unlikely.

[Chasarms]

I am probably a little late to this party, but I have to add this.

At the time, I called Tom Owen and ordered my bow from him directly. It came in a hard cardboard mailing tube from OK.

He is a very nice older man who is, if I understand correctly, semi-retired. I spoke with him at length, at least 30-40 minutes on a couple of occasions, and he was very willing to mail me several of his bows to get the right one for me.

He spoke very articulately of the making process and answered every question I asked. He also offered a number of references of players who use his bows.

I am absolutely convinced that he makes these bows at his house in Oklahoma.

He seemed like a simple man living in a very small town. It is at least possible that makes bass bows for other reasons apart from gainful income.

If he is indeed a hoax, he is a good one.

Also, at the time I spoke with him, he was raising his prices. I believe, if he still makes bows, that they now sell in the $800-900 neighborhood.

FWIW, I have since sold that bow as I really preferred my much lighter old shop bow and couldn't really justify having too much money tied up in bows.

However, I stand by my statements that the bow Mr. Owen sold me was exceptional and an extraordinary value.

[LouisF]

I just bought a bow from Tom Owens to use up here at the College - Tome was a treat to deal with: sent two bows first, then after I told him my responses to the bows, sent a third; they were all (Germman) well made, each with varying characteristics - I went with one an unwrapped, depp cherry pernambuco stick that had a fat, rich yet singing sound; very responsive and comfortable...

...and all for $750.

He's an American asset in my book, and while I know there are great Chinese bows coming out of some workshops and factories there, I'm happy to support the home front on this one.

Louis

[Pete G]

Ken, I'm sorry for your cognitive dissonance, but in the end, what does it really matter?

Isn't the key question, "Does this bow work well for the price?"

If it does, does it matter whether it was made in Oklahoma, by a robot, or by a Sumatran orangutan?

I happen to have both an Owens bow and a Lipkins bow, and I've owned and tried out lots of other good bows at all price ranges.

The Owens bow is a good stick and a damned good value.

THAT'S the proof of the pudding...

[Mr.Phil]

I just bought a german style Owen Bow, and its a fantastic stick. It draws a nice clear tone and really makes my bass sing in thumb position. My teacher said it was a good deal too. If people are curious, check him out.

[LouisF]

Like I said above, I think he's a find! Congratulations

Louis

[brooklynbassed]

+2c

I recently bought a Tom Owen French Bow, weighing in
@ 146g in a custom short length. A very nicely balanced and articulate stick. I'm very pleased.

Everett Boyd

[CPike]

Has anyone had a bow rehaired by Tom Owen? I live a couple of hours from him and was thinking of giving him a try. Any comments on the quality of hair on the bows that he makes?

Chris

[Mr.Phil]

Yes. I was so pleased with my Owen Bow that I sent him my backup for a re-hair and re-wrap (the old wrap fell off and the bow felt too tip heavy). I like the job he did, nice thick ribbon of black hair. The bow pulls a better sound than it did new. His rates are very reasonable too. Keep us posted.

[LouisF]

I've got (long story) a $4000 Italian-made German bow on loan for a week. Comparing it against the $750 Tom Owen bow I bought last month, the differences are noticible (slightly better balance, bite, flow, warmer tone) but not $3250 better.

They are great bows for the money.

Louis

[Dbassmon]

I just bought a Tom Owen Bow. It's warm and full sounding, easy to draw, feels good in your hand. Cherry colored Pernambuco, White hair, German style bow.

My guess is that this a maker that should be selling his bows for at least twice or three times what he is currently charging, if not more.

Originally Posted by Jake

Why doesn't somebody call Mr. Owens up and ask him if he really makes the $750 bows?

I did speak with Tom on the phone and yes, the bow is made in Oklahoma, USA, in spite of all the skepticism. He did share that he buys German made frog assemblies.

[Mr.Phil]

Yup, great bow, great price.