bsharma8 Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jacobsaunders Report post Posted October 14, 2020 It’s not a “copy of a Pfretschner”, but some random bow with a fake stamp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wood Butcher Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Looks like someone recent re-varnished, or overpolished the stick heavily. It looks so shiny, like it was dipped in plastic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Merkel Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strad O Various Jr. Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Looks Chinese?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blank face Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sospiri Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeorgeH Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Although I am generally reluctant to discuss prices on MN, I agree with the implied consensus that this bow is way overpriced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blank face Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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 ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeorgeH Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sospiri Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andreas Preuss Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsharma8 Report post Posted October 14, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jul Report post Posted October 26, 2020 any opinion of the restored (see the head) Prefretzschner Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duane88 Report post Posted October 26, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jul Report post Posted October 26, 2020 thanks, this is a very clear answer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wood Butcher Report post Posted October 26, 2020 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blank face Report post Posted October 27, 2020 I would also doubt that it's (was) a real Pfretzschner at all, but Prepetzschner appears to be right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jul Report post Posted October 27, 2020 lots of good reason not to buy this bow Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites