H R Prefretzschner Violin Bow

[bsharma8]

After trying countless bows, I have finally settled on this "modern" german copy of hr pfretzschner. Price range was up to about 4.5K and this exceeded my expectations and was a lot cheaper than I expected. The bowmaker was not sure who it was made by though. I'm open to any guesses. I liked it better than the Nurnberger I had tried as well. It doesn't look like your typical German trade bow to me. 

[jacobsaunders]

It’s not a “copy of a Pfretschner”, but some random bow with a fake stamp

[Wood Butcher]

Looks like someone recent re-varnished, or overpolished the stick heavily. It looks so shiny, like it was dipped in plastic.

[Bill Merkel]

If you like it that much, just buy it and be glad you got off cheap. Why invalidate the whole thing if somebody doesn't confirm you made out like a bandit?  Plus when I close my eyes all I see is dots.

[Strad O Various Jr.]

Looks Chinese??

[Blank face]

In my eyes it looks very similar to a Knoll or similar contemporary manufactured bows. No similarity with HR Pfretzschner beside the (probably later applied) bogus brand. Used they aren't sold for 4.5 K or any other sum being remotely close to such a price, rather in the 3 digit region.

[martin swan]

Is there any evidence that this is German made? It doesn't really look like pernambuco to me, and as Blank Face says, I would be very surprised to see something like this retail for more than a few hundred.

For under $1500 you can get amazing handmade Brazilian bows that play like a dream.

[sospiri]

7 minutes ago, martin swan said:

Is there any evidence that this is German made? It doesn't really look like pernambuco to me, and as Blank Face says, I would be very surprised to see something like this retail for more than a few hundred.

For under $1500 you can get amazing handmade Brazilian bows that play like a dream.

Knock a zero off that to get a Chinese bow that plays like a dream.

 

[GeorgeH]

Although I am generally reluctant to discuss prices on MN, I agree with the implied consensus that this bow is way overpriced.

[Blank face]

1 hour ago, martin swan said:

Is there any evidence that this is German made? It doesn't really look like pernambuco to me

Of course very difficult to tell by these dark photos. The wood looks very plain, so it can be anything else than pernambuco. OTOH firms like Paesold used all kind of odd woods for their products, but it's also hard to tell from where they might get the blanks.

[martin swan]

19 minutes ago, GeorgeH said:

Although I am generally reluctant to discuss prices on MN, I agree with the implied consensus that this bow is way overpriced.

I don't think we know the price, only that it was in a price range up to $4500 and was a lot cheaper than expected.

Personally I would be slightly wary of buying a bow from someone who claims not to know exactly what they are selling. Making a mistake in attribution is one thing, choosing to remain ignorant is another ...

[GeorgeH]

1 minute ago, martin swan said:

I don't think we know the price, only that it was in a price range up to $4500 and was a lot cheaper than expected.

Ah, I see, you're right.

[sospiri]

12 minutes ago, Blank face said:

Of course very difficult to tell by these dark photos. The wood looks very plain, so it can be anything else than pernambuco. OTOH firms like Paesold used all kind of odd woods for their products, but it's also hard to tell from where they might get the blanks.

I'm trying to work out how long Ipe has been used for bows. I think it must have been used for more than 100 years because it grows from Argentina up to Mexico and is a much larger tree than Pernambuco. So with the more even grain, the question has to be asked: is it just as good as Pernambuco? Or does Pernmambuco have something extra, besides its beautiful appearance?

3 minutes ago, martin swan said:

I don't think we know the price, only that it was in a price range up to $4500 and was a lot cheaper than expected.

Personally I would be slightly wary of buying a bow from someone who claims not to know exactly what they are selling. Making a mistake in attribution is one thing, choosing to remain ignorant is another ...

Martin, I wish to add to the list of people who admire the photographs of your bows. I wanted to join the convo, but me dog n bone ad uvver ideas.

[Andreas Preuss]

Slightly amused about the spelling,  Most people (including Germans by the way) don't get the 'z' before the 'sch' but it's the first time I see Prefretzschner. (Could be a frustrated escape from auto correct?)

 

[bsharma8]

Might be shiny due to the flash. Its closer to 1,000. Plays pretty damn well though.

5 hours ago, martin swan said:

I don't think we know the price, only that it was in a price range up to $4500 and was a lot cheaper than expected.

Personally I would be slightly wary of buying a bow from someone who claims not to know exactly what they are selling. Making a mistake in attribution is one thing, choosing to remain ignorant is another ...

I can agree with this. I don't want to settle yet, will probably try out more bows. 

[Jul]

any opinion of the restored (see the head) Prefretzschner

[duane88]

4 minutes ago, Jul said:

any opinion of the restored (see the head) Prefretzschner

Not sure that the term "restored" is appropriate. My first thought was, "Ouch!". If you don't already own it, don't buy it.

[Jul]

thanks, this is a very clear answer

[Wood Butcher]

35 minutes ago, duane88 said:

Not sure that the term "restored" is appropriate. My first thought was, "Ouch!".

I would concur. That bow has been nowhere near a restorer.
It does look like it made it into a shed owned by someone who had some epoxy, coarse sandpaper, and an old tin of window frame stain however.

[Blank face]

I would also doubt that it's (was) a real Pfretzschner at all, but Prepetzschner appears to be right.

[Jul]

lots of good reason not to buy this bow