Double Bass What German bow luthiers to look for?

[Leonidbass]

Hi,

I have been looking out for bow recently and I came to realize that I don’t know what makers to look for. I also don’t have a lot of time to get an idea of what makers are good through trying them out. I was wondering if anyone had some recommendations. Please understand that I am looking for a professional level bow.

Thanks

 

[LouisF]

Where are you? Professional bows range from @$2500-$7000 these days.

 

[BassFalcon]

Just for clarity, are you looking for archetiers in Germany or simply archetiers who specialize in German style bows?

 

[Mark_T]

If I played German bow and wanted something top-flight, I'd talk to Jordan Scapinello or Bernard Walke.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

I want a Lynn Hannings Gary Karr Bow someday. She makes lovely bows.

Lynn Armour Hannings, Bowmaker

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Bass bow information WIKI

 

[Leonidbass]

Woah, sorry, I’ve been gone a long while. I’m a bassist who is usually in the New York/Pennsylvania area. I’ve gone to a lot of big shops and I’ve tried their bows but always felt that they didn’t have that, you know, “unique ” or “intimate” aspect that I’m looking for. Would anyone happen to know any specialists or makers in the area that I could check out?

Thanks!

 

[LouisF]

What's your budget? How long are you prepared to wait on commissioning a bow?

 

[Leonidbass]

Well I guess my budget just depends on how convincing the options are. I would hope to have a new bow before December 2025, but I can wait.

 

[LouisF]

Sue Lipkins, Lynn Hannings, Zachary Lane (all NYC area), Bill Halsey (Maine), Eric Lane (Boston), Thomas Dignan (Boston), Bernard Walke (Canada), , Thomas Goering, Les Korus (midwest)
are all terrific American bow makers. And I am sure there are more around.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

I wonder if there are any German bow makers in Texas?

 

[LouisF]

Mitch might know: Moehring Basses - About

 

[LouisF]

One more (if she is still making bows) is Julie Vinsant in Frt Worth: Julie Vinsant

Max Johnson here (I think) had one of her bows and spoke highly of it.

 

[Co.]

Unless you don't exactly know what you want, I wouldn't commission a new bow. Try to find a used bow in your price range. If there are any professional players in your area, chances are high, that at least one of them is trying to sell a good bow right now.

 

[Mark_T]

Not connected with the seller:

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/tom-goering-german-bow.1647312/

 

[Mark_T]

Not connected with the seller:

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/tom-goering-german-bow.1647312/

Bass Violin Shop also has beautiful German bows from Bernard Walke and Robert Dow right now.

 

[LouisF]

BVS also has my terrific Creone da Silva bow for half the price of the others (hint; hint). It is an excellent, light weight, articulate stick: https://www.bassviolinshop.com/product-page/creone-silva

 

[Mark_T]

BVS also has my terrific Creone da Silva bow for half the price of the others (hint; hint). It is an excellent, light weight, articulate stick: https://www.bassviolinshop.com/product-page/creone-silva

That looks like a great bow!

I’m sort of in the market but I think I want something a bit heavier. My teacher just bought a Walke that’s like 150g+ but it feels like nothing at all.

 

[LouisF]

Walke's are great bowsbut 150gr is beyond my pay grade!

 

[Mark_T]

Walke's are great bowsbut 150gr is beyond my pay grade!

It feels lighter than air to play. It’s like magic.