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K. Gerhard Penzel *** Master Cello Bow, 4/4 - Fine Pernambuco, Ebony, Sterling Silver, 81g

Master cello bow from the highly reputed worPenzel workshop of Bad Brambach, Germany. This high ranking "Three Stars" model, is made from the highest grade Pernambuco by Kurt Gerhard Penzel and is typically offered brand new by dealers in the $4,000-$5,500 range.

The Penzel name has been associated with fine bow making for over 110 years. The family passed the craft from generation to generation, retaining its wealth of experience. The first Penzel maker was Emil Max Penzel (1887-1953). Max had worked with the iconic German bowmaker H.R. Pfretzschner for 10 years before starting his own shop in Gopplasgrün near Markneukirchen in 1907. Kurt Gerhard Penzel (1929-2017), Max’s nephew and the maker of this cello bow, trained first with Alfred Stohr in Erlbach at age 17 and then later with his uncle Max. The family survived the war and in 1948 Kurt became a journeyman for his uncle Max in Erlbach. Throughout the war years, the family managed to retain its very precious older Pernambuco wood pile.

In 1953 Kurt started his own bow making workshop in Stuttgart. He moved the shop to Ostrach, Germany in 1974 where the family continued its bow making tradition.

This bow, stamped K. GERHARD PENZEL *** is the highest ranking silver-mounted model in the company’s line-up. It was made around 2000s. The Pernambuco in this bow is old wood, finest grade, of gorgeous terracotta color. The octagonal stick is without flaw. It has a beautiful fleck in the wood grain. The large blind eye frog is dark Ebony mounted in Sterling silver, with a three-piece end button.

The bow is balanced, stable, and responsive. It has power and elasticity and easily draws a smooth, rich, even tone. It plays wonderfully.

The bow is in excellent -- near-mint -- condition. There are no cracks, repairs, or ostensible scratches or blemishes. The thumb leather -- which, in my understanding, is original -- shows little, if any, wear. The hair is ample.

The bow comes with a case, which is in excellent condition.

This bow is suitable for the professional celloist and, at this price, is an exceptional bargain.

FEATURES

Weight: 81 g.
Length: 71.5 cm / 28.1 inches.
Balancing point: 6.6 inches from the frog (9 1/4 inches from the end of the stick).
Stick: fine Pernambuco (AAA+ grade), octagonal shape, with a square mortise, elegantly sculpted.
Frog: high grade Ebony frog full-lined in Sterling silver; pearl slide and large blind eye.
Thumb material: genuine leather.
Winding: Sterling silver wire.
Button: three-part Sterling silver button, decorated with pearl eye.
Tip facing: mammoth.
Hair: natural white Mongolian horsehair.
Stick branding: *** K. GERHARD PENZEL ***
Frog branding: coat of arms with the initials GP in the form of the treble clef.

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