About me
Biography
I began my career at age 17 in bow restoration in Bristol at TINNEYS Violin Shop (formerly DARBEYS). After a few years I made bow restorations for DOLLIN and DAINES and later, took lessons in bowmaking from Malcolm Taylor (ex. Hill and Sons). Early on in my career I realised that, due to the cultural devastation caused by WW2, some important elements of the deeper knowledge which the old French, English and German bowmakers possessed had been lost. I set myself the task of rediscovering this more subtle knowledge-a process which took me many years of experience, experimentation and…working with countless musicians and their bows.
The experience of recambering hundreds of antique bows formed the basis of a deeper understanding and I was able to formulate the Technical and Tonal Optimisation Protocol (TTOP); a step-by step system through which the camber of every antique bow can be safely restored to it’s original playing condition. I am the first bowmaker in the world to offer a certificate which states that this important work has been done. Recently I have distilled my knowledge into a book, the first of it’s kind written for musicians; entitiled ‘Rediscovering the Deeper Secrets of Bowmaking’ which is planned for publication in the summer of 2026. A workshop manual, describing the exact methods I use, will follow.
After many years of living and working abroad (Netherlands, USA and Spain) I have returned to the UK to set up my studio in Watchet, Somerset. My work is divided between the restoration of antique bows and making high quality proffessional bows which embody this knowledge.
As a response to the need for a better quality student bow, I am working together with Brazil’s oldest established bowmakers, to provide aspiring musicians with the tools they need to support their developing technique. These bows are made with the finest Ipe and pernambuco and embody the same principals which I use in my own bows.
In 2026 I will begin teaching the knowledge and methods which I have developed to a limited number of bowmakers and restorers.
Biography
I began my career at age 17 in bow restoration in Bristol at TINNEYS Violin Shop (formerly DARBEYS). After a few years I made bow restorations for DOLLIN and DAINES and later, took lessons in bowmaking from Malcolm Taylor (ex. Hill and Sons). Early on in my career I realised that, due to the cultural devastation caused by WW2, some important elements of the deeper knowledge which the old French, English and German bowmakers possessed had been lost. I set myself the task of rediscovering this more subtle knowledge-a process which took me many years of experience, experimentation and…working with countless musicians and their bows.
The experience of recambering hundreds of antique bows formed the basis of a deeper understanding and I was able to formulate the Technical and Tonal Optimisation Protocol (TTOP); a step-by step system through which the camber of every antique bow can be safely restored to it’s original playing condition. I am the first bowmaker in the world to offer a certificate which states that this important work has been done. Recently I have distilled my knowledge into a book, the first of it’s kind written for musicians; entitiled ‘Rediscovering the Deeper Secrets of Bowmaking’ which is planned for publication in the summer of 2026. A workshop manual, describing the exact methods I use, will follow.
After many years of living and working abroad (Netherlands, USA and Spain) I have returned to the UK to set up my studio in Watchet, Somerset. My work is divided between the restoration of antique bows and making high quality proffessional bows which embody this knowledge.
As a response to the need for a better quality student bow, I am working together with Brazil’s oldest established bowmakers, to provide aspiring musicians with the tools they need to support their developing technique. These bows are made with the finest Ipe and pernambuco and embody the same principals which I use in my own bows.
In 2026 I will begin teaching the knowledge and methods which I have developed to a limited number of bowmakers and restorers.