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Violin Bows

© Sheila Helser
Francois Tourte born in paris, 1747-1833 refinded the bow form we know today. He established the length of the violin bow to be 29.13 - 29.52 inches. It was made from pernambuco wood from South America. A good bow depends on an ideal strength to weight ratio. Pernambuco is the best wood for bows. There has been extensive deforestation of the Atlantic forests of Brazil where pernambuco grows. Pernambuco, a small tree, is form of Pau-brazil. Under Brazilian law all forms of Pau-Brazil are listd on the endangered species list. Bow hair can be Siberian, Mongolian, Manchurian, Polish, and more recently, Argentinian horsehair or a synthetic hair. The recommended weight of a bow is between 58 and 62 grams. The shape can be round or octagonal and is about 29 inches long.



    Roger Francois Lotte, born 1922, was the son of bow maker Francois Lotte. He studied and worked with his father and took over the business in 1956.... although his father continued to be involved for several years after.


    Nurnberger Brothers bows- many of the family members stamped their bows "Albert Nurnberger." Franz Albert I (1826-1895) was the son of Karl Gottleib Nurnberger. He founded the bow-making school in Markneukirchen, and instructed there for twenty-five years. He was supposedly a student of Bausch. Frantz Albert II was an established bow maker around 1880. He became one of the the most prominent bow makers in the world.Some of the family productions are more of the "shop" variety. Others rival French bows.


    Rodney D. Mohr is a graduate of the Chicago School of Violin making. He has won 2 gold medals for his bows. He is currently Vice President of the Violin Society Of America. My Mohr bow is a copy of Jacques LeFleur, 1760-1832 who was an apprentice of Francois Tourte. His bows are known for their elasticity and lightness.


My Lafleur model swan shaped head

Yes! This is a violin bow. It is a Lafleur model with a swan shaped head. It is well balanced and weighs 60.5 grams and has a round Pernambuco shaft in a redbrown color. This bow was made by Rodney D. Mohr a USA bowmaker. Link to more about Sheila's Rodney D. Mohr LeFleur model bow
My Personal Violin Bows

*Albert Nurnberger* a German maker
The blue foam pad cushions my thumb
it is a pencil grip cut in 1/2
silver mounted with abalone heart slide

*Albert Nurnberger* a German maker
octagonal pernambuco stick
silver mounted ebony frog and tip

Roger Lotte a French maker
round pernambuco stick, ebony frog
silver mounted, ivory tip

This is a gold mounted Rodney D. Mohr bow made with a highly flamed piece of pernambuco and weighs 59.8 grams.
Link to more about Sheila's Rodney D. Mohr bow #623
BOOKS
Mastery of the Bow
Professor Emery Erdlee
Distinctive Publishing Company $14.95
Links to Bowmakers and Materials
Rodney D. Mohr Steven Beckley
Douglas Raguse William Salchow
Andreas Gr�tter International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative USA

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