Have any questions?
+44 1234 567 890
Five generations of family tradition
Founder of the family-run business Richard Uebel (right) with Kurt (left), Werner (centre) and family
The family run bow-making workshop was founded on March 4th 1892 by Richard Uebel. The student bows that were made by Uebel back then no longer exist nowadays, since no brandstamps were used at that time. Due to that, there are no bows that can be identified as Uebel bows from that time.
Kurt Uebel, son of Richard, became a bowmaker too. Even though there is a brandstamp with the words "Uebel Wolf-Gopplasgrün" that belonged to Kurt Uebel, it is not fully clear whether it has been used or not. Only one bar with the branding of this specific stamp was found, but unfortunately no complete bow.
Werner Uebel, the son of Kurt Uebel, became bowmaker in the third generation of the company. He passed his master's examination in 1952 and revolutionized the bow making of the Uebel workshop in the 1950's. Werner wanted to focus more on high quality work instead of producing large quantities of student bows. It has been quite a challenge at the beginning since profitable orders were missing. Werner Uebel even had to stop the full time work as a bow maker. Meanwhile he worked as an accountant and only crafted bows in his freetime. With his outstanding manual skills, his absolute will and sense for high-quality bows and also his contact with superb musicians, he successfully asserted himself among other well-known bow makers. Musicians and retailers became aware of him and the manufacturing of student bows was completely stopped then.
Master craftsman Werner Uebel in his workshop
Master craftsman Klaus W. Uebel during his master examination time
Klaus W. Uebel initially learned the trade of a toolmaker. Soon he realized that this was not his calling. He rather wanted to continue his family’s bow making tradition. By starting a second apprenticeship and retrained as a bow maker. Klaus Uebel passed his examination for the master's certificate in 1982 and continued the high standard of the Uebel workshop with the greatest care and precision.
Andreas Uebelwas born in 1984 in the beautiful Vogtland region. After completing his high school diploma and civil service, he began his apprenticeship as a bow maker in 2004 under his father, Klaus W. Uebel, continuing the family tradition in its fifth generation. In 2006, he completed his training and initially worked as a journeyman with his father to gain further experience and refine his craft. He quickly realized that bow making was his true passion. The delicate craftsmanship, the sensitivity required, the pursuit of perfection, and the ability to express individuality completely fascinated him!
In 2013, Andreas began his training to become a master bow maker in Markneukirchen, which he successfully completed in 2015. At the master craftsman ceremony of the Chemnitz Chamber of Crafts on September 19, 2015, Andreas was honored with a certificate of distinction for his outstanding achievements. He was recognized as one of the top three master graduates across all trades in the chamber district and as the best graduate in musical instrument making.
To further improve his work and gain more experience, he attended advanced training courses and internships with renowned bow makers, including in Vienna.
Between 2014 and 2023, he also participated in various international bow-making competitions (Amsterdam, Mittenwald, and Mirecourt). Initially achieving respectable placements, he continuously improved over the years. His dedication culminated in 2022 when he was awarded four prizes at the 9th International Violin and Bow Making Competition in Mittenwald! (See "Awards").
Andreas Uebel with his honorary certificate for outstanding achievements
Master craftsman Klaus Uebel (left) with his son Andreas (right) and his wife Bettina (centre)
By studying the work of very good and old original submittals of French and German bows and having conversations with experienced musicians, Klaus and Andreas learned what was necessary to create the perfect bow and gained the knowledge they needed for further developments within their craft. The perfect function of historical bows inspires them both to break new ground and to constantly improve their designs. Maintaining a regular contact to well-known contemporary bow making colleagues is another aspect that is very important to Klaus and Andreas which influences the steady improvement of their work.
Since 2010 they have been strongly supported by Bettina Uebel, wife of Klaus and mother of Andreas. She is taking care of all kinds of important and helpful To Do's and completes a well organized and good working bow making team.
Contact
You are convinced by our craftsmanship, have a personal request or questions regarding our bow making workshop. Contact us! We are happy to get in touch with you.