Traditional bows by Gilles Nehr

Gilles Nehr learned bowmaking traditionally in France, following the Mirecourt family line through his cousin Jean-Pascal Nehr, a student of Bernard Ouchard. Upon arriving in New York, his work was rooted in academic precision and the pure French method.

In New York, Gilles Nehr developed his style while working at the legendary René Morel shop and forming a close friendship with the Salchow family, who had their shop in the same building. At this time, New York City had the largest concentration of exceptional bows and instruments in the world, which belonged to the most famous soloists. This immersion allowed him to study and work on many prestigious old French master bows daily, blending his academic skills with their style.

Since a young age, Gilles Nehr has sustained his career by selling traditional bows directly to musicians, maintaining a long list of orders and focusing entirely on their needs and the quality of his work.

Gilles Nehr's traditional bows embody this rich heritage and personal journey. Crafted entirely by hand from raw materials, each bow is inspired by the old French school. While original French master bows are very expensive, his bows offer the craftsmanship and style of early 19th-century bows at a more accessible price. Gilles Nehr's work represents a harmonious blend of historical tradition and meticulous craftsmanship, making high-quality, historically-inspired bows available to today's musicians.