FULL SIZE VIOLIN BOWS £100 and over
Round pernambuco stick of a red-brown colour with a completely illegible stamp, nickel mounted ebony frog and adjuster, tinsel and silk lapping and
leather thumbpiece. The bow appears to be French (I have had a second opinion on this) and probably early 20th century. It is probably the work of the JTL factory, but I haven't been able to confirm this. Weighs approx.61 grams. The bow is in good condition overall but has been straightened and it has a new tip face and lapping. The adjuster may be a replacement. This is a decent all-round bow at a competitive price for a French bow. I find it comfortable to play with and it is clearly capable beyond my limited technique.
Round stick of a brown colour faintly stamped 'PAUL MANGENOT', nickel mounted ebony frog and adjuster with three nickel rings, silver wire lapping and
leather thumbpiece. Paul Mangenot was not a bowmaker and the bow could be by any one of the trade makers. I also suspect that the stick, adjuster and frog came originally from different bows, but probably all French and early to mid-20th century. The lapping and tip face have recently been replaced, and the bow has been straightened. Medium stiffness and a fairly average balance. Weighs 61.2g. Plays ok though I find it a little bouncy in fast passage work.
Pernambuco stick of a light red-brown colour stamped 'GRANDINI', nickel mounted ebony frog and replacement adjuster, tinsel and silk lapping and
leather thumbpiece. Grandini is a brand name for the J.Thibouville-Lamy company, and I am sure that the stick and frog are French, though not necessarily made together, and early to mid-20th century. The adjuster looks like a more modern replacement. The lapping and pearl slide have recently been replaced. The bow is heavy at 65 grams and quite stiff, and the balance is a little more tip heavy than I like but it will suit some players. It plays well for me and doesn't sound as edgy as stiff sticks sometimes do. The stick has a number of nicks on the underside but these won't affect its durability. Overall this is a decent French bow of its type at a reasonable price.
Octagonal pernambuco stick of a light brown colour, probably German and mid-20th century, unstamped. Silver mounted ebony frog and adjuster, silver wire lapping and leather thumbpiece. Weighs approx 65.7 grams. Medium to stiff. Reasonable condition. The tip face has been replaced and the adjuster is a modern replacement. Although the bow is heavy it doesn't feel it as it is well-balanced, plays well and has no untoward edginess to the sound.
Round pernambuco stick of a reddish-brown colour, stamped 'Lothar Seifert', and also 'Germany' under the stick. Nickel mounted ebony frog and adjuster, plated wire lapping and leather thumbpiece. Weighs approx 60.0 grams. Medium to stiff. Good condition. The bow plays pretty well at all speeds, without being outstanding at anything. My playing isn't good enough to judge the bow in advanced techniques. This is a decent modern intermediate to advanced student bow from the Seifert workshop.
Octagonal pernambuco stick of a light brown colour, unstamped. Silver mounted ebony frog and adjuster, tinsel lapping and leather thumbpiece. Weighs approx 54 grams. Medium stiffness. Good condition. The bow plays pretty well at all speeds, and feels comfortable. An unremarkable but very useable bow from a German workshop, and probably mid-20th century.
Round pernambuco stick of a light brown colour, stamped Germany underneath and R. Geipel on the frog. Nickel mounted ebony frog and adjuster, imitation whalebone lapping and leather thumbpiece. Weighs approx 60.6 grams. Medium to stiff. Good condition. A relatively modern German bow, a little heavy looking but very useable.
Round brazilwood stick, stamped LUPOT, nickel mounted ebony frog and nickel adjuster, plated wire lapping and leather thumbpiece. French, probably JTL factory, mid 20th century. Weighs 59.8 grams. Medium stiffness. Reasonable condition, the lapping and tip plate have been replaced. Typical French factory bow, well balanced and plays reasonably well, with a clear sound.
This page last updated September 2025