Ashmead Bows
Maker of Historical Bows
Ashmead historical bows are made from the finest available materials. They are designed in consultation with professional baroque and classical musicians, keeping within the historical framework of the day.
Within this site are samples of many modern and period bows, all hand crafted by Ralph Ashmead. The information presented here is intended to be used as a first step towards selecting the bow that most closely meets your needs.
Baroque violin bow – Copy of Stradivarius
Snakewood with ivory frog and button –
early 18th century.
Snakewood with ivory frog and button –
early 18th century.
Featured in Strad Magazine
Praise for Ashmead Bows
Hi Ralph, I got the bow and I´m already playing with it. The sound is very clear and stable, great to play fast notes but i’m still discovering more things. Thank you so much! Last tour I played also a quartet (Haydn) with Barry Sargent and guess he said why
…
Hi Ralph, I got the bow and I´m already playing with it. The sound is very clear and stable, great to play fast notes but i’m still discovering more things. Thank you so much! Last tour I played also a quartet (Haydn) with Barry Sargent and guess he said why don’t you use one of my bows (transitional) and it was from you! I did like it but I would prefer to have one a bit heavier in the middle, well his bow is a violin bow so no wonder. Anyway i will be in touch.
Raquel Massadas