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Double Bass Albert Nürnberger bass bow

B

beingbecoming

Jul 6, 2004
518
0
Fort Wayne, Indiana
#1
Hello:

So I just stumbled upon a bow and am trying to find out some information about the maker.

I found this online:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Nürnberger

and everywhere I see online selling this guys bow seems to be between 3-5k. Does anyone have any experience with Nürnberger bows? I have a Reid Hudson I bought last fall but am looking for a good backup especially so I can get rehairs etc and still have a solid orchestra bow.

Thanks for any help this great forum can provide!
 
#7
Thanks ADissen. I saw that but then I saw this too... looks like true Albert Jr. bows are hard to come by but they are all good quality.. we'll see when I actually get it in my hands!

German family of bowmakers. Christian Gottlob Nürnberger (b Markneukirchen, 31 Dec 1792; d Markneukirchen, 17 Aug 1868), whose father and grandfather were both violin makers, was the first bowmaker of the family, being first recorded as such in 1823. His son, Franz Albert Nürnberger (i) (b 19 Aug 1826; d 26 May 1894) made very high quality bows in an old German style; they are unsigned. Franz Albert (i) and his son, Franz Albert (ii) (b Markneukirchen, 24 April 1854; d Markneukirchen, 15 Feb 1931), were founding members of the Bogenmacherinnung Markneukirchen, where they are recorded as Albert sen. and Albert jun.

Franz Albert (ii) began a very successful business relationship with the Wurlitzer Company, Cincinnati, early in the 20th century. About this time he began to offer a new Tourte-type model, which became the typical ‘Nürnberger bow’. His bows are made of the finest materials and they were as highly regarded as those of his French counterparts. His son, Carl Albert Nürnberger (b Markneukirchen, 28 Oct 1885; d Markneukirchen, 2 March 1971), became his successor. It was Carl Albert, working with his brother Philipp Paul (b 29 Jan 1882; d 6 April 1946), who perfected the ‘Nürnberger bow’. His bows were played by some of the most famous artists of his time, including Fritz Kreisler, Eugène Ysaÿe and David Oistrakh. Carl Albert was succeeded by his son, Karl Albert (b 22 April 1906; d 9 Oct 1972), and grandson, Christian Albert (b 12 Dec 1947).

Expert knowledge is required to distinguish the work of the various members of the family, as the stamp albert nürnberger was used for most of the 20th century.
 
#10
you should talk to Chris Brown. He could probably tell you more about the maker and give you a good Idea as to which one made it. He is a genius when it comes to bows. He has a Nuremberger for sale as well, or at least he did when I worked for him at the last convention. I'll ask him about it. I remember playing it and enjoying it, medium to dark sound with good articulation and stayed into the string well. I hope you enjoy your new purchase.
 
#13
it plays amazingly well. I am really enjoying the bow alot. Pulls a very warm sound and worked well in orchestra and in solo playing. It could probably use a rehair as I'm not a fan of the bleached white hair on there. It plays totally differently than my Reid Hudson but I really like having a variety to choose from. I'll definitely be hanging onto this bow for a while!

Thanks for the e-mail!
 
#14
Hey all. Sorry to bother you all, but I thought you could help. I am trying to sell a bass bow and do not know how much to ask for it. Any ideas?

Bass bow stampled A. Nurnberger-nickel silver mounted on ebony frog-French style. that is all the information I have.

Thanks!

Taylor
 
#15
Tayloraspen said:
Hey all. Sorry to bother you all, but I thought you could help. I am trying to sell a bass bow and do not know how much to ask for it. Any ideas?

Bass bow stampled A. Nurnberger-nickel silver mounted on ebony frog-French style. that is all the information I have.

Thanks!

Taylor
Click to expand...

Well, what I have done is to take bows to get them professionally appraised from a well-regarded bow shop. Since you haven't filled out your profile, I don't know where you would go to have this done. It could be done mail-order, if you are in some far-flung spot.

Appraisal simplifies getting insurance, too, for the new owner. Costs a few bucks, but you get it in writing, on a letter from the bow shop, and its "official."

Now, selling it is another matter, but appraisal is a Bb way to determine current market value...
 
#18
Since a bow is basically horsehair strung on a springy stick, I find it difficult to tell a bad bow from a good one. If it is simply artistic workmanship: beautiful wood, ebony, mother of pearl, and silver wire,compared to a crooked or very heavy stick with cheap material, I can understand. But I can't see or feel any difference between my French bow which I bought for $125 in 1961 and my friend's bow (also French) which was purchased recently for nearly $1000.
I have to admit, when I hear people on this talking about grab and bow performance, I immediately think hair and rosin.
Is this just an elitist indulgence or is there really something to it?

FYI :I've been playing mostly jazz for nearly 50 years and haven't
done a lot of bowing for extended periods. I also can't tell the difference between a $20 and a $100 bottle of wine.
 
#19
gerry grable said:
Since a bow is basically horsehair strung on a springy stick, I find it difficult to tell a bad bow from a good one.
Click to expand...

Ha! And a bass is just some slabs of wood glued together!:D

Seriously though, more experience with a bow would help you to detect many more characteristics that bows have. It's not an elitist indulgence at all and it's not usually about the artistry of the stick, it's about the way that it plays. Bows play differently as much as basses play differently. Also, you might have a really good $125 bow from 1961 that compares well to your friends $1000 bow.

What was this thread about again?
 

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