- 10 Rue du Dr Leroy, 72100 Le Mans
- 07 81 37 53 67
Suzy Schmitt Bowmaker
Workshop in the city center of Le Mans, France
Creating, maintaining and repairing your violin, viola, cello and doublebass bows
Workshop
Originating from Alsace, I studied violin making in England, at the Newark International School of Violin Making.
After graduating, I worked and collaborated with several celebrated violin makers in France and Spain but I also worked for an assistance company as well as in vinyards.
I started my training in the professional bow making and repairing trade with Jean Grunberger, during Aladfi trainings, and with Michel Jamonneau ; both world renowned masters of bowmaking.
As from May 2021 I welcome you in the center of Le Mans, France, in my workshop within a coworking center. I chose this address for the lovely working space I occupy and for the social moments I can share on regularly with my coworkers.
Repair
A bow, like the instrument it accompanies, wears with time. It requires an annual check up ; to be repaired or simply because of the natural wear for some parts.
I take time with you to examine your bow, assess your needs as a musician and then establish a quotation for the work needed.
My job is to make sure that your bow, through my hands is rejouvenated. Whether a classic bow rehair or a new head plate is needed, checking the mother of pearl or the lapping, I will also check on camber or balance issues.
Making
Creating a bow starts with a raw piece of wood. This wood is being sawn into the form of a stick that I then shape using planes, files, knives… The bow stick is then cambered, pierced and the frog and head plate are adjusted to it.
At that stage, a first hair is put on to try the bow so I can then go back to shaping the stick some more
I am still learning the lifelong art of making a bow but here is how I see my job :
Making a new bow requires exploring the needs of its future owner. I take the time to test the bow on your instrument at my workshop. If necessary, I return it to the bench to get a result that matches your needs as the musician and my obligations as the maker.
Each wood being different, each bow is different and unique.
We’re talking about me
“Instilling good, daily habits is the key to your bow’s health, writes Suzy Schmitt from the Women in Lutherie community”
Your bow needs taking care of as well as your instrument. There are several aspects that you can check yourself without the need of a professional.
“Le Mans. Elle est l’une des dernières en France à réparer des archets d’instruments de musique
Installée rue du Docteur Leroy au Mans, Suzy Schmitt fabrique et répare des archets destinés aux instruments de musique à cordes frottées. Un travail artisanal qui s’appuie sur un savoir-faire très ancien mais aussi des qualités de patience et de précision…”
“La bonne combinaison pour nombre de musiciens, c’est leur talent et le bon instrument. Mais pour la famille des cordes frottées type violon, alto, violoncelle et contrebasse, il faut ajouter l’archet. Nombre de ces instrumentistes l’affirmeront : « Il est essentiel, pour un bon accord, d’avoir un archet de bonne qualité et en bon état. » Et c’est pour cela que Suzy Schmitt a embrassé la carrière d’archetière.”
“Le pernambouc, qui constitue la baguette de l’archet, est un bois toxique. Il est donc fréquent de voir les archetiers travailler masqués pour préserver la santé de leurs poumons.
“Dans son atelier de la Tribu Co-Working, rue du Docteur Leroy, Suzy Schmitt est épanouie. Derrière de grandes baies vitrées, la jeune femme
d’origine alsacienne répare, en toute sérenité, archers pour violon, alto, violoncelle et autre contre-basse. « Depuis l’âge de neuf ans, j’ai
évolué dans le monde de la musique classique.”
Contact
Picture gallery
