The Wood Shop

I’ve always been a bit of a tinkerer and for years I’ve wondered if I could make a bow. At its simplest, a bow is really just a stick that suspends a strand of hair. I could make that! I bought a piece of purpleheart wood (a more accessible and sustainable alternative to the traditional pernambuco), drew on a design, and started sawing away. Guided by intuition, I cut out the blank and began shaving it down to size. While I didn’t have much experience in woodworking, one thing I do have is a strong foundation in bass playing. In this way, the project of making a bow sits somewhere near the intersection of folk and fine art.

The venture into woodworking has been incredibly enjoyable. Unlike playing music, it’s a project that doesn’t disappear as soon as it’s made. I’ve gained such a deep appreciation for the craft and even learned to repair bows in the process. Please get in touch if there’s a bow, mute, or other wooden trinket you’d like to commission. I’d love to make it for you.