TUBBS – Nürnberger Cello Bow – Markneukirchen circa 1930

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This bow was made in the Nürnberger workshop located in the famous making city of Markneukirchen. Carl Albert Nürnberger (1885-1971), after completing his apprenticeship in his father’s respected shop, made the Nürnberger workshop of the 1920’s into one of the most famous sites for bow making. The family name extends from the mid 1700’s to the 1990’s. The workmanship in this bow “exceptional” and every knife cut, inlay, and silverwork, and was done with precision. The frog and head were made in the classical proportions of family models.

Many times, I get asked if a good bow makes a difference in the sound coming off an instrument. Yes, absolutely! A high-quality bow influences sound production, clarity, and articulation. Musicians are always looking for balance, stability, a connection with the string, and a responsiveness that allows the bow to feel like a natural extension of the arm. Players want a bow that makes complex musical passages a breeze to play. A good bow will enhance tone, response, and help the player perform advanced off-the-string articulations. Many times, the bow is forgotten about and put on the back burner. We have players that come to the shop thinking they just need a new instrument to sound better. An 180-degree turn sometimes is very necessary. The bow is so much more important than most could ever imagine. It took me years to really understand how important the bow is for the generation of sound. It’s huge.

This is a fine German cello bow which has a famous English maker’s name. German violin and bow makers did this for marketing reasons, especially after World War I. The Western world was not eagerly purchasing anything coming out of Germany. Many of the families in Germany still put their greatest efforts into making exceptional instruments and bows. This is one of those bows. This bow is off the charts exceptional. The bow is pernambuco, round in section, and sterling silver mounted. A professional bow through and through. The head has a strong rounded nose with slightly tapered back completed with a sterling silver pinned facial. The stick has tight grain with the typical natural, satiny surface treatment of a stick that has been hand rubbed with a cotton cloth using linseed oil. The pernambuco is way above average, it is fantastic! It has an orange/brown color and it is strong bow, a firm player. It does have a darker color above the frog as professional players used this bow for many decades. This is normal to see, normal playing patina. The camber begins immediately after the head of the bow, where one can see the tightness of the grain. The classic blind eye frog and solid sterling button have classic lines and again are true to the models used by the family from the early turn of the century. The rounded heel is pinned, and the silver lining is held by two silver screws. The solid silver button shows a beveled edge and two turns in the collar. The workmanship in this bow is exceptional and without a doubt this is one of the finest cellos bows to date that we have had in the shop.

Weight fully haired 81.6 grams