The Bow Business

musical instruments

About

Stephen makes bows for instruments of the violin family. He trained as an engineer, and then studied musical instrument making and repair at Merton College, Morden from 1994-6. Qualifying with a City and Guilds in Musical Instrument Technology, he went on to work at Stentor Music Company Ltd and J. P. Guivier & Co. Ltd. In 2001, he received specialist training in bow repair and restoration with bow specialists Derek Wilson, Anna Tummers and Linda Grove.

In 2006, Stephen left to set up his own business, making and restoring bows, and has since built up a reputation among professional players in the leading London orchestras and theatres, session musicians and music students. He also undertakes repair and restoration of bows. Among his clients are Trinity College of Music and the Royal Opera House orchestra.

“Bow making is where woodwork, engineering and jewellery making meet; it combines function with aesthetics and produces a precision tool which is disarmingly attractive”

The Bow Business

Process

Stephen uses techniques from the French and English bow-making schools, involving a combination of hand tools and machinery.

He enjoys researching materials and testing new techniques for the restoration of fine old bows, and much of his creative process is directed to finding the ideal restoration process for a given bow, budget and client