Willy Roth Pernambuco Violin Bow Markneukirchen circa 1920

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We have a beautiful Willy Roth violin bow made in Markneukirchen, Germany. Ernst Heinrich Roth (1877-1948) was a prominent figure in violin making the last half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Willy Roth bow maker – same family line, different workshop. Willy Roth bows were made for export to the West and usually were sold with a violin outfit. From the 1930’s branded E.R. Roth bows were supplied to the firm by different makers: Adolf Schuster and Otto Paulus. These makers supplied unstamped bows to the Ernst Heinrich Roth workshop and the Roth firm graded and stamped them according to their own system. Our Willy Roth bow was made in the same area, Markneukirchen, by Willy Roth in the early 1920’s using the solid end button and Parisian eye model frog.

This is a great bow in nickel mounts. I spent many hours of time meticulously going over the bow after it was thoroughly cleaned. I added a new tip, tip armor, replaced the mother-of-pearl slide, and added a new nickel winding and leather thumb. This was done to bring the bow weight up. Previously, the imitation whalebone winding that was on the bow had a leather thumb and the overall weight was only 57.2 grams. Completed with new winding the bow is 61.3 grams, balances to the frog end better, and plays well. The stick and frog are in very good condition and the stick cleaned up very well. The color in the wood is a beautiful orange/brown. The maker was well trained, and the fittings mate to the stick seamlessly. The bow is made of pernambuco specie and is round in section. The head of the bow is very erect just after the nose in its form with strong lines and large chamfer knife work on the back of the head. The silver end button is a solid cap, and the lining is attached to the frog with a few small screws. The heel is of two pieces and are attached with silver pins. This is a good playing bow and well made. The bow is now in excellent condition and ready to be played seriously. A great German stick.

Weight fully haired 61.3 grams