The Maker:

Bernard Ouchard (b. 1925, d. 1979) was a French master bow maker and teacher who played an important role in the continuation and revival of the French tradition of bow making.

Son of renowned bow maker Émile Auguste Ouchard and grandson of Émile François Ouchard, Bernard began learning the craft from his father at the age of thirteen. At the end of 1941, he moved with his father to Paris, where his training continued. His early career was interrupted by the World War II, during which he served in the French military.

In 1949, on the recommendation of Lapierre, Ouchard joined the Vidoudez firm in Geneva, Switzerland, where he worked for more than two decades. His time in Geneva was an important period in his development as a master bow maker, and he remained with the firm until 1971.

That year, Ouchard returned to Mirecourt to become professor of bow making at the École de Lutherie de Mirecourt, where he devoted the final years of his career to teaching and to the preservation and development of the French bow-making tradition. His appointment helped establish what became known as the New French School of bow making.

Among the bow makers associated with this tradition were Benoît Rolland, Jean-Yves Matter, Stéphane Muller, Martin Devillers, Gilles Duhaut, Sylvie Masson, Christophe Schaeffer, Jean Grunberger, Georges Tepho, Jacques Poullot, Éric Grandchamp, and Stéphane Thomachot. A subsequent generation of makers, including Edwin Clément, Sylvain Bigot, Gilles Nehr, and Yannick LeCanu, continued the tradition through the influence of Ouchard and his students.

Sound & Feel:

This viola bow is exceptionally well balanced with a wonderfully natural feel in the hand. It draws a smooth, rich, and colorful sound, with depth and warmth that give the instrument a broad and expressive voice. The bow tracks beautifully and feels remarkably consistent throughout the stick, allowing effortless changes in different strokes and dynamics. It’s a wonderfully versatile and refined bow that inspires confidence and allows the player to shape the sound they want with ease.

Materials:

Stick: Pernambuco, Octagonal

Frog: Tortoiseshell, Silver mounted with Parisian eye

Specs:

Weight: 73.2 g

Length: 74.4 cm