Ken Altman Bow Maker

The bow a player chooses to use can have a significant effect on the quality of the music produced. Every bow will draw a distinct tonal range from a given instrument, and will respond differently to various bow strokes. The right bow can bring out the best qualities of an instrument, and enhance a player's abilities. How do you go about finding the "right" bow for you? The best way is simply to try them in the circumstances in which you normally play. You will know when a bow works for you. The weight and balance, the feel of the bow in your hand, the way it plays both on and off the string strokes, the tone that it draws from your instrument: these are all elements that should be considered, and they can be satisfied with a fine handmade bow.

For twelve years now I have made bows one at a time, incorporating time honored methods and materials. Close attention is given to every detail, from the silver or gold fittings to the final finish. Each stick is carefully chosen for its characteristics of grain, density and flexibility. These factors are all taken into account as the wood is shaped into its final form, with the goal of producing bows that will respond to a player's utmost demands.