Double Bass A very fine French certified bass bow by E.A. Ouchard,ca.1930..

Andy Mopley

Andy Mopley

Sep 24, 2011
1,335
317
8,216
#1
is listed on ebay for US25K - help me understand, where is the money going in a bow like this? i can understand a rare gem, a vintage car, a double bass or other instrument, but this much money for a bow? What would give it this much value?
 
#2
That's a difficult question to answer quickly. Desirability for collectors and players pushes up the prices of certain makers.
Don't get too obsessed with prices, or think that price is directly connected to the value for the player - it isn't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Phil Rowan
#3
I thought I'd add, there was a bow by Nicolas Maline on eBay a couple of years ago that the seller wanted $45,000 for...
Have you guys seen this?!?!?!? - Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB) (pardon my ksb forum link)

At 60cm and 163g, it is not a model most players would really want nowadays, but it is a bit of French bow history you can play. Is it worth 45k? Not to me. I am sure it is powerful and easy to handle, but really short by modern standards.
 
Last edited:
#4
Ok, one more thought on your question.. then I'll leave it be.

This seller is listing every item from A. Gartsman Violins. I don't think these are real prices, really. Maybe possible, but close to twice what you might see in a normal auction situation. These are maybe up on eBay as an advertisement... like " look what we have in the store!"
I mean, really... $195,000 for a Tourte cello bow. As great a bow as it may be, it doesn't even have the original frog.. That just seems to be pushing it to me.
This is a strange business.
 
Last edited:
#5
I feel like it's also a matter of, some folks will charge whatever they think they can get for something (whether an instrument or anything else). It's all pretty absurd (to me, at least). I can understand $12K - $14K for a Fetique that's all original, but if some shop asks something like $50K for the same thing? No sir, I don't like it.
 
#6
#8
Interesting reading Louis, thanks!

I found this short chapter near the beginning of Etienne Vatelot's "Les Archets Francais". Seems like a sound perspective.

DSC_2969.JPG
DSC_2970.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kickdrum
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back