The Maker:

Roger Zabinski (b. 1950, d. 2024) earned a bachelor’s degree in music history and literature from the University of Minnesota in 1973. During his studies, he met Vaido Radamus, who trained him in violin making and introduced him to making bows. He later studied bow making with Martin Beilke from 1976 until Beilke’s death in 1979.

After working at Clare Givens Violins from 1978–1983, he specialized in bow making and further refined his skills with William Salchow in 1984. He became a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bowmakers in 1985, earned his journeyman’s certificate in 1986, and won a Gold Medal at the Violin Society of America International Competition.

Over his career, Zabinski crafted more than 900 bows, drawing inspiration from French masters such as Eugène Sartory, Dominique Peccatte, and François Xavier Tourte before developing his own distinctive style.

Sound & Feel:

It offers wide varieties of colors with strong and clean articulation yet being able to have creamy, smooth tone.

Materials:

Stick: Pernambuco, Round

Frog: Ebony, Silver mounted with pearl eye

Specs:

Weight: 61 g

Length: 74.2 cm