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Abe Liebhaber, bowmakerI made my first bow with Lynn Hannings in 2011 at the University of New Hampshire Bowmaking Program founded by Bill Salchow, and continued my study of bowmaking with George Rubino, Matt Cooker, and Steve Beckley. Each of my bows is a handmade original from the preparation of the bow blanks from rough-sawn boards of pernambuco to the first application of hair before the final finish, wrapping and branding of the stick. Since 2016 I have participated in the Violin Society of America’s Bowmaking Workshop in Oberlin, Ohio, where I contribute to the group reproduction of interesting bows for great clients. This workshop has given me the opportunity to meet, work with, and learn from fellow bowmakers from the USA, North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
I love the materials of bowmaking and try to keep them in their natural, primary states as much a I can in the finished bow: Pernambuco, Snake, Ipe, and Katalox woods, ebony of many colors, abalone and mother-of-pearl seashells, and traditional as well as novel tip materials. I enjoy combining them to make bows that feel good in the hand of the musician with an emphasis on recreating models by makers known for bows with superior playability.
In addition to making bows, I continue to work as a professional cellist with a position in the Arizona Opera and with Camarada San Diego. I hope that being a performer contributes to the overall quality of the bows I make. Each unfinished bow is as unique as the musician who ends up using it, and I take particular satisfaction in making choices that determine the playing characteristics and good looks of my creations. -Abe Liebhaber, 2023 |
Jasmin Espiritu Rikard, restoration/rehair
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My introduction to bows began when, as a violin performance major at San Diego State University, I brought my bow to Abe for a professional-level rehair. His passion for bows and the combination of his artistry, precision, and craftsmanship piqued my interest in the profession. In the following years my interest in the craft grew and with Abe's encouragement I attended Learning Trade Secrets in Ashland, Ohio, which offers advanced training in the making, repair, and maintenance of bows and instruments. I studied with Rodney Mohr in 2021 (bow rehair and repair) and David Orlin in 2022 (advanced bow restoration), and continued my training with Abe in San Diego when he offered me a formal apprenticeship. I continue to enjoy working with and learning from Abe, as well as interacting with colleagues who share my passion for bows.
In November, 2022, I had the opportunity to assist the judges during the 24th Annual Violin Society of America Competition as a scribe for Mr. Yung Chin of New York. He is one of the foremost bowmakers and bow experts in the USA and he taught me to pay close attention to the nuances of superb bow craftsmanship during the many rounds of judging over four days of competition. My passion for bows continues to grow; When I'm not at the shop, I dedicate my free time in my home workshop to building and refining the skills and tools of the trade, and on projects appealing to my general interests. I've dedicated myself to this trade and continue to enjoy playing and teaching the violin so that my students can share and experience the joy it has brought me. |
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