A Fine Violin Bow by E. W. Zöphel- Rohrbach, Saxony circa 1930 – SOLD FEBRUARY 27, 2024 –

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We have a very fine sought-after full size violin bow made by E. W Zöphel, circa 1930. Ernst Willy Zöphel (1893-1973) was a bow maker from Rohrbach, a small village in Saxony, Germany. The stick is pernambuco specie, round in section, gorgeous wood, strong, and has sterling silver mounts for the single pearl eye ebony frog and is finished with a solid silver end screw. This is a Wow! bow. We meticulously went over the entire bow and kept the baleen winding and leather on the stick. We have cleaned up the bow and given the stick fresh hair. This bow was sitting in a collection of bows for many years and is the very bow pictured in the “The German Bow: A Study Exhibit of German Bow Making” by Bruce Babitt, published in 2019 by the Violin Society of America. Three photos of the exact bow are found on p.264. The bow is in perfect condition and made of a very beautiful and strong piece of pernambuco wood. E. W. Zöphel bows are rare and sought after sticks, this one weighs in at 60.0 grams. This is a fantastic playing bow in its original condition.

Sometimes I‘m asked if a good bow makes a difference. Yes, absolutely! It’s always about sound. A high-quality bow definitely influences the sound production, clarity, and articulation. Musicians are always looking for a balance, a stability, a connection with the string, and a responsiveness that allows the bow to feel like a natural extension of the arm. The player wants a bow that makes complex musical passages a breeze to play. A good bow will enhance tone and response, and help the player perform advanced off-the-string articulations. Many times, the bow is forgotten about and put on the back burner. We have players that come to the shop thinking they just need a new violin to sound better. Do a 180-degree turn. An about-face. The bow is so much more important than you could ever imagine. If you’re looking for a great bow to give you better tone and color from your instrument, this is totally it.

Weight fully haired 60.0 grams.