ROBERT AMES, BOWMAKER
A Life in Bowmaking
Robert Ames is a bowmaker, collector and expert whose career spans more than five decades. He began his training in the New York City atelier of renowned bowmaker William Salchow, quickly advancing to shop foreman and producing hundreds of bows while mastering the repair and restoration of fine French, English and German bows.
In 1978, he established Robert Ames Fine Violins and Bows in New Jersey. His bows earned honors at the International Violin and Bow Competition held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, in 1980 and again at the competition held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1982. These consecutive international recognitions brought early attention to his work as an American bowmaker and marked an important milestone in his career. Over the course of his career, he has earned a reputation among musicians, collectors and fellow experts for his workmanship and expertise in the identification, authentication, restoration and evaluation of fine bows.
Robert was a longtime member of The American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers, serving for many years on its Board of Governors. He was also a member of the Entente Internationale des Luthiers et Archetiers and the Violin Society of America, reflecting a lifelong commitment to the development and preservation of the craft.
Robert Ames at work in the William Salchow shop, New York City, c. 1970s.
Poster for a 2015 lecture by Robert Ames in Taipei: “How to Choose the Perfect Bow.”
A Career in Fine Bows
Robert's work has extended well beyond bowmaking. In 1990, he purchased the 1720 Mendelssohn Stradivarius—known as the Red Violin—at auction for a client. The $1.7 million sale set a world record at the time for the highest price ever paid at auction for a musical instrument.
His work has included operations established at various times in France, Germany, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. He has been sought after as a speaker and lecturer at international conferences and events. His work and collection have also been documented in several publications on violins and bows, including The British Bow, The Essential Guide to Bows of the Violin Family by Gabriel Schaff, Known Violin Makers, 7th Edition by John H. Fairfield, and The Violin Makers of the United States.
Innovation & Accessibility
Throughout his career, Robert has explored new materials, construction methods and approaches to bowmaking while seeking to offer high levels of performance and craftsmanship at a reasonable price.
In the early 2000s, he developed the Carbon Bob, a carbon-fiber bow designed for durability and performance at an accessible price point, and the Composite Bob, which combines a carbon-fiber core with a pernambuco veneer. Drawing on his traditional bowmaking expertise, both designs emphasize durability, stability, balance and playability while bringing sophisticated bow design to a wider range of musicians. A limited number remain available today.
Robert also created Atelier Ames, a student model designed to bring the craftsmanship and character of an Ames bow to a broader range of players. Bob makes each stick himself, while the frog and button are sourced separately to keep the finished bow affordable.
The Carbon Bob — a carbon-fiber bow developed by Robert Ames in the early 2000s, reflecting his interest in innovation, durability, and accessibility in bowmaking.
Sharing the Knowledge
Known online as Bob the Bowmaker, Robert now shares more than fifty years of knowledge about bows and bowmaking with a growing audience on TikTok and Instagram. His educational work gives musicians, collectors and enthusiasts a closer look at the makers, craftsmanship, history and expertise behind rare and historically significant bows.
Supporting the Musical Community
Throughout his career, Robert has supported musicians, particularly those who might otherwise struggle to find an opportunity to play. He has donated instruments and bows, sponsored competitions and music programs, provided fundraising support, and helped students find quality instruments at affordable prices.
His support has included serving on the Board of Trustees of the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra, supporting the Paterson Music Project through donated instruments, bows and rehairs, and sponsoring campers and a cabin at Luzerne Music Center. In 2018, the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts honored Robert for his work with the Paterson Music Project. He has also donated bows as prizes to numerous competitions, including the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition.
For Robert, giving back is about helping musicians—especially those facing an uphill battle—discover the joy of playing and, when possible, pursue a life in music.
Robert Ames with Francesc Clar of Clar Fine Violins at the Luzerne Music Center's 2018 Gala.
ABOUT
A New Chapter
Today, Robert devotes his work to two lifelong pursuits: creating handcrafted bows from carefully selected premium pernambuco and other fine materials, and offering rare historic and contemporary bows from his collection, assembled over more than five decades of collecting.
Each bow he makes reflects a lifetime of studying the finest examples of the bowmaker's art, while every historic bow is selected and restored with a commitment to craftsmanship, authenticity and playability.
Robert Ames is currently accepting commissions for original bows and offering bows for sale from his collection, including works by some of the most celebrated bowmakers in history.
Bows are available to view and try by appointment in New Jersey.
201-914-1971 · Amesbows@yahoo.com