The Maker:

Andrew Dipper is a skilled restorer, luthier, historian, and writer with a background in sculpture and Cremonese violinmaking. He has made replicas of historic bows for 35 years. Mr. Dipper’s work is informed by dedicated scholarship, study of original bows and museum conservation.  Examples of his restoration, conservation, and reproduction work can be found in many of the foremost public and private musical instrument collections, as well as in the hands of acclaimed players worldwide.

Model:

The Cramer model bow supplanted the Italian model of Tartini, whose design was typified by a rather fragile swan head with a long tip. In contrast, the Cramer model has a head whose design incorporates a thin palette of wood that extends the back of the tip plate towards the bow frog, giving the design its distinctive ‘battle axe’ profile. This detail lends strength to the back of the head behind the hair mortise and players have noted that this feature aids immediacy of the response to the bow in spiccato strokes. The Cramer bow was designed for volume dynamics and percussive attack techniques of large ensembles, techniques that might have compromised the somewhat weaker and elevated heads of the previous Tartini models. It was promoted and in fashion between 1760 and 1785, notably in Manheim where Wilhelm Cramer spent the early portion of his career, and in London where Cramer emigrated in 1772.

 

Materials:

Stick: Pernambuco

Frog: Snakewood

 

Certificate:

Andrew Dipper

 

Specs:

Weight: 55.5 g

Length: 71.9 cm