Bows

Sebastian Dirr has relatives that play string instruments professionally, so it was only natural that they welcomed it when Sebastian decided to become a bow maker. After studying musicology, he started an apprenticeship at Paesold in 1988. Sebastian specializes in modern and historic bows. For Sebastian, the wood of a bow is most important, and he sources much of it from colleagues who are retiring. Sebastian is a founding member of the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative (I.P.C.I.) which was founded with the goal to protect existing trees and to ensure future suppli

Giorgio Giannini proudly recalled the beginning of his family’s involvement in the music industry as part of his interview for the NAMM Oral History collection.  Mr. Tranquillo Giannini was a well-respected luthier in Italy who had the vision to set up his work shop in South America.  In 1900, he established a small factory to produce musical instruments in Brazil, and Mr.

Greg Gohde's love for violins and bow making began in college and soon became his life's work. He moved to San Diego from Chicago, where he opened a repair shop and crafted handmade bows. His store expanded over time into Classic Bows, a world-renowned location for violin goods and services. The store grew in scope and in reach when his wife, Lois, came on board full time in the 1990s. The couple retired in 2017, yet Greg continues to consult and to teach the art of bow making.

Klaus Götz’ family comes from Wernitzgrün, a small town not far from Markneukirchen. His grandfather, Conrad August Götz, founded C.A. Götz in 1884 which initially produced tuning pegs and strings. In 1958, Klaus Götz, together with his brother Karlheinz, traveled to the United States to personally market their string instruments. Klaus forged long lasting relationships to his customers and exhibited at the NAMM Show in Chicago as early as 1958.

Karlheinz Götz was proud of his musical heritage. His grandfather, Conrad August Götz, was the founder of the C.A. Götz Company back in 1884. The company, which was located near Markneukrichen, Germany handcrafted violin parts such as tuning pegs and later the manufacturing of strings.

Richard Grünke of Richard Grünke & Söhne GmbH which is located close to Bubenreuth produces high quality bows. Richard’s sons, Klaus and Thomas, run the business today but their father is still active in the workshop. Richard learned the craft of bow making in Markneukirchen at H.R. Pfretzschner before he started working in 1952 for Roederich Paesold in Bubenreuth. Richard then received his master craftsman examination in 1957 and refined his artistic excellence over the years. In 1975 his oldest son Klaus asked his father to teach him the craft of bow making. After purchasing

Denisa Hanna took guitar lessons with jazz great Johnny Smith before working with him at his musical instrument store in Colorado Springs, CO. While working in the store she met and fell in love with jazz drummer, Jake Hanna. When the couple moved to Los Angeles, Denisa expanded her interest as a luthier and devoted herself to the fine craft of bow making. During her interview she provided a history of bow making as well as several demonstrations of the many processes involved with hand made bows.  

Anna Huthmaker has been immersed in music her entire life—her mother even went into labor at a Knoxville Symphony performance! She began playing the violin at five and soon developed proficiency in several instruments, later playing professionally with her brother. After studying bow repair and working at a music shop, Anna joined her parents at Huthmaker Violins in Atlanta. Since then, she has helped countless young musicians start their musical journeys. She also co-founded Luthiers Without Borders USA, using her caring nature and expertise to support music education and make mu

Rudolf Neudörfer, bow maker, grew up in the Czech Republic after 1945 and went to the Violin Making School in Luby, learning the craft of violin making from his teacher Bohumil Pechar and Hans Schmirler. He then worked at the Cremona cooperation for string instruments in town until he escaped socialist Czechia by posing as a ski coach at the Olympic Games in Innsbruck 1964. After an apprenticeship in bow making in Bubenreuth his path led to Switzerland where he worked at the Finkel workshop for six years before opening his own workshop. During stays in the United States at the Wei

Walter Paulus is president of Werner Paulus GmbH, which is located not far from the town of Bubenreuth and produces bow parts of the finest quality. Starting in 1920, Walter’s father-in-law, Otto Müller, was supplying bow frogs for bow makers in the region of Schönbach and Markneukirchen. After World War II, most Germans had to leave the Czech Republic while some workers that were essential for making music instruments were held back and recruited to work in the newly established government-controlled Cremona stringed instrument production.

Mary Peterson serves as the Sales Operations Manager for CodaBow International, a role that perfectly combines her passion for music with her talent for business. Her journey in music began at home, inspired by her father, a guitarist and elementary school music teacher who instilled in her a lifelong love of learning and creativity. During college, Mary interned with CodaBow, gaining valuable industry experience and attending her first NAMM Show with the company—a milestone that deepened her connection to the music products community.

Lothar Seifert came from a family of musical instrument makers in the Kirchberg area of Germany. His father, Oskar, began making bows in 1924 and by 1932 had set up a workshop in Graslitz. Like so many refugees, the Seifert family was forced to re-locate after World War II. They had heard of a small village called Bubenreuth, whose mayor was spreading fliers among refugees calling for makers of musical instruments to settle in his town. Lothar opened his shop with a partner in Bubenreuth in 1950 and once again established the family as a well-respected bow producer.  

Norbert Stumpf was elected the mayor of Bubenreuth in 2014 and actively promotes the legacy of his town as an important center for stringed instrument production. At the end of World War II, hundreds of families involved in the production of stringed instruments settled in Bubenreuth. Even though the heyday of instrument production may be over, and companies such as Höfner and Framus have moved on, the tradition, with luthiers and bow makers as well as suppliers working in Bubenreuth is alive. Norbert Stumpf’s grandfather worked at Winter, a company that produces bags and cases fo

Herbert Wanka is the master bow maker who established his own company in Baiersdorf, Germany in 1971. He began making bows in 1952 and worked as an apprentice to the renowned craftsman, Emanuel Schuster, in Bubenreuth Germany. After completing his master examinations in 1968, Herbert formed his own workshop in Bubenreuth before moving the shop to Baiersdorf in 1977. Over the years he has established himself as one of the master bow makers in the world and has shared his craft with many students and young builders over the years.  

Jerry White and his brothers all played musical instruments growing up on their family farm in Wisconsin. Their father was a professional musician who played in popular dance bands. Jerry and his wife, Ellen, both became schoolteachers and Jerry continued to play on the side. When he had an opportunity to join his cousin at a small music store in 1961, Jerry jumped at the chance. With many long hours and rarely taking money out of the business, that little store grew into the White House of Music with six locations. Jerry became active in the Scull Groups, as well as serving as Tr