Double Bass Markneukirchen bow makers

[LouisF]

Just 'cause its a slow day:

Of the high-end Markneukirchen bow makers (Pfretzschner, Dolling, Uebel, Hoyer, Seifert, Paulus etc), are there noticeable differences or preferences that people have among them?

I've found the Hoyer, Seifert and Dolling sticks generally stiffer (in a good way) and heavier than the Pfretzschner, Uebel and Jens Paulus bows I've tried, but personally like the lighter touch/weight of these bows. I know that historically the Markneukirchen bows were designed to match big German/Austrian 5 string basses, and was just wondering about how people feel about them now.

These are all pretty old school names, of course, so it's not about comparing them to more modern makers like Sue Lipkins or Lucchi etc; just a comparison with the German world as to "in-house" preferences and tendencies (if indeed there are any)

Like I said, a slow day! Thanks

 

[Don Kasper]

Just 'cause its a slow day:

Of the high-end Markneukirchen bow makers (Pfretzschner, Dolling, Uebel, Hoyer, Seifert, Paulus etc), are there noticeable differences or preferences that people have among them?

I've found the Hoyer, Seifert and Dolling sticks generally stiffer (in a good way) and heavier than the Pfretzschner, Uebel and Jens Paulus bows I've tried, but personally like the lighter touch/weight of these bows. I know that historically the Markneukirchen bows were designed to match big German/Austrian 5 string basses, and was just wondering about how people feel about them now.

These are all pretty old school names, of course, so it's not about comparing them to more modern makers like Sue Lipkins or Lucchi etc; just a comparison with the German world as to "in-house" preferences and tendencies (if indeed there are any)

Like I said, a slow day! Thanks

You lost me at "Markneukirchen", Louis! (Jeez, I'm dumm...)
"The Day is SLOW??? YOU'RE SLOW!!!" (see Glengarry Glen Ross)
Thanks.

 

[LouisF]

Several of these bow makers are clustered around the same town in Germany.

And I'll see your Glengarry and raise you one: "My greatest fear is that the audience will beat me to the punch line." David Mamet

 

[s van order]

Just 'cause its a slow day:

Of the high-end Markneukirchen bow makers (Pfretzschner, Dolling, Uebel, Hoyer, Seifert, Paulus etc), are there noticeable differences or preferences that people have among them?

I've found the Hoyer, Seifert and Dolling sticks generally stiffer (in a good way) and heavier than the Pfretzschner, Uebel and Jens Paulus bows I've tried, but personally like the lighter touch/weight of these bows. I know that historically the Markneukirchen bows were designed to match big German/Austrian 5 string basses, and was just wondering about how people feel about them now.

These are all pretty old school names, of course, so it's not about comparing them to more modern makers like Sue Lipkins or Lucchi etc; just a comparison with the German world as to "in-house" preferences and tendencies (if indeed there are any)

Like I said, a slow day! Thanks

I bought an Otto Hoyer cello bow very recently to be my first and it is perhaps a bit stiffer than other cello bows but, as you wrote, in a good way. Dated to somewhere in the 1920s. It gives me notably better results, more weight toward the tip it seems, a nice gluey legato and well-controlled off-string strokes, with a darkening effect on my tone that I need esp for my carbon fiber cello. It is not too heavy tho, 81 grams which is 1 gram heavier than I understand is typical for cello. My Pfretzschner workshop bow (2-star stamp, probably prewar too) is now my backup. It feels a bit lighter than the Hoyer but seems as stiff but with less camber.