|
The prevalence and popularity in South Africa of the work of the important English bowmaker, John W. Stagg (b. 1949), is due to the systematic imports of his bows into this country by the violinmaker, Timothy Crake, who, prior to emigrating to New Zealand, had a violinmaking and repair studio in Johannesburg. Crake regularly imported a quartet of bows from Stagg and most of the Staggs being used in South Africa are from that undertaking.
John Stagg lives and works in Bristol, England. He joined the firm of W. E .Hill & Sons in1977 where he rose to the position of Senior Bowmaker. In 1983 he left Hill to work for himself. He has been based in Bristol since 1989. He is recognized as one of the world's foremost bowmakers.
A characteristic of all the Stagg bows that I owned and handled is that the frog is without underslide and set directly into a rebate in the stick - wood on wood. This practice results in a very firm fit of the frog, preventing it from sideward rolling on the stick. This same technique, which has French roots, is also used by John Clutterbuck and other important Hill bowmakers.
This is an outstanding bow by all standards. As with all bows by this maker; this bow has truly outstanding playing properties that would satisfy the most demanding violinist. It is equal to any demand made on it.
|
|
|
The Stick :
|
| |
Octagonal, of superb pernambuco
|
|
The Nut :
|
| |
Ebony with two silver interlocked rings on the flanks - the characteristic identifier of this maker
|
|
Mountings :
|
| |
Silver. The original three-ring adjustor button is of silver and ebony.
|
|
Lapping :
|
| |
Tinsel silver. The black leather thumbpad is probably later.
|
|
Condition :
|
| |
This bow is virtually in mint condition.
|
|
