One of the top ten bow makers of all time it takes an extraordinary man to pursue an altogether new design of bow rather than slavishly copy the great Dominique Peccatte.
Read MoreJohannes chooses a Voirin
As a student I appreciate a fine bow just as much as anyone else but I had a limited budget, which drew me to Peter Hembrough’s great deals on repaired bows.
Read MoreColleague narrowly misses out on the Lady Blunt Stradivarius
Over the years Peter Hembrough Bows has acted in an advisory capacity when customers are searching for the ideal instrument or bow.
My friend and colleague asked for such help many years ago when buying a Gold and Tortoiseshell Voirin that was one of Yehudi Menuhin‘s main playing bows. Although understandably disappointed.
Knowing Andrew’s playing I feel he would be more suited to a member of the Guarneri or Amati family.
Player saves £24,000 in buying from PHB
Last December I brought in from an American colleague a superb example of a J B Vuillaume meche interchangeable bow, almost certainly by Pierre Simon – circa 1845. This bow had a later frog (Joseph Voirin circa 1860) and button but from a similar period and were again from the Vuillaume workshop in origin.
Read MoreJust what bows did the great players use?
This is a common question that occurs quite frequently from requests from all around the globe. So below is the beginning of the definitive list. Most players have a stable of bows (Oistrakh used to buy a bunch on his trips to Paris) but also tend to have a favourite that they use more than others
Read MorePeter the penguin
Even the best bows can’t always hold the attention of a discerning audience.
Here my beautiful Voirin leaves the critics divided in their appreciation.
Simon values his Voirin
Peter is a pleasure to deal with. As a fine violinist he has an exceptional feel for what works. I am delighted with the Voirin that he found for me.
I would be happy to recommend him to any of my colleagues, and will most certainly be consulting him next time I am on the look out for a bow.