I've had the unique experience and pleasure of watching Dr. Ervin make several bows. This man is a true artist. It is evident that he has a deep knowledge not merely of the history of the bow. He also possesses a brilliant talent for crafting them, based on a sound understanding of the physics involved.
I enjoyed and valued this video very much. I’m an amateur cellist with an engineering background, and found your comment illuminating. I know my bows sound different, but not why. I now appreciate the bow makers art more, and of course Tourte bows. Thank you!
Dr Ervin is immensely generous with his knowledge. In itself this is an admirable quality of any craftsman in any field. In this knowledge exists a legacy which is a treasure for all who travel this path. Thank you.
I don't play any bowed instrument yet I'm fascinated by videos of violin and bow making, repair and restoration. Dr. Ervin is a joy to listen to and watch.
Very much enjoying learning from your videos. I'll look through some more. Great analysis of violin construction. I will add that I had the chance to spend several minutes holding a magnificent Tourte bow that sold for around 560,000 euros in Vichy at the end of nov., 2017.
I recently acquired a Violin & Bow at a house sale. Needless to say I was thrilled to learn that the bow is a Tourte. It was a pleasure to watch you explain the Tourte bow and examine mine simultaneously. Thank you for your expertise and dedication to your craft!
+John Cook Congratulations on your successful find. I offer some valuable tips on how to use the Tourte model bow on my web site. Please let me know your experience as you get acquainted with your new bow. www.ervinviolins.com/tourte_bows.shtml www.ervinviolins/ervin_bows.shtml
Can you send me a link where to buy a good hank of hair for my authentic Albert Nurnberger violin bow? I only need one hank. It was a gift and i don't know where to buy it.
I went to the extreme once and examined every hair on a bow with a magnifier. I took out any uneven lumpy hairs and especially ones with a raspy , sawtooth shape. The sound was creamy smooth afterwards .
This is an amazing video. Thank you for making this! I use a JonPaul carbon fibre copy of a Pajeot, which is in the Tourte school I think, and I just tried the same pressure at the string near the frog and I do see the porpoising and moving of the tip of the bow as well. It's amazing! I really do enjoy this Pajeot copy and I treasure it because it's possibly the closest I can get while still on a reasonable learner's budget.
Great information sir thanks you!! However, WARNING, I tried the porpoising thing with a cheap bow of mine and the head snapped off! LOL!! Still a very insightful video thanks again!
Superb video .Fascinating details .This may be in another video but is there anything about the balance point when playing ? I also had a horrid bow that kept juddering .None of my other other bows did that . I would love to know why it did that .
The flexing near the head is a slow action that we can clearly see . Is there a faster action more related to the vibration speed of a string ? Can you picture that very rapid nodding action contributing to the sound as it responds to the stick /slip of the rosin ?
I enjoy playing with both style bows and prefer the Sartory as it seems to be my go to bow most of the time. Both bows porpoise but it is more on the Tourte. Both bows have pros and cons.
biggysground I’ve tried Sartory bows of various quality. The one I play on is my favorite bow. It compares to Peccattes I’ve tried. I know a very well known violinist who hates them. So I guess it’s a different experience for everybody? I’ve never tried a Tourte. Would love to at some point. This is a great video. It’s fascinating to see the mechanics of the two different designs.
I wonder if my 60 year old bow that came with my framus viola is worth rehairing. It still has a nice curvature when loose and is nearly straight when tightened. It is a nicely balanced bow and I like its feel. It is not pleasing cosmetically, but I wonder if it would make more sense for me to have it rehaired than purchase a new bow.
I have a Tourte bow, which came with a violin that was given to my father many years ago, was presented by a friend of Catalan origin, who had it since I was a child and gave it to my father, I still keep it, the violin is not he sees the mark and the bow is Tourte. I would like to know how I do to determine if the arch is really original, so I can appreciate it is more than 100 years old, who can help me I would appreciate it.
Can you send me a link where to buy a good hank of hair for my authentic Albert Nurnberger violin bow? I only need one hank. It was a gift and i don't know where to buy it.
Thanks EViolins. Pernambuco needs to be left alone now. It's impossible to trust where new pernambuco is sourced from. There are substitutions out there, various 'ironwoods' (as we call them here). However - nearly all the musical woods are facing extreme pressure - alpine spruce, ebony, flamed maple etc. Bow makers and instrument makers need to start experimenting again instead of sticking to old world ideas.
