Sue Lipkins, Bass Bow Maker (Sold)

[Ken Smith]

I just got another Lipkins Bow today. A person no longer playing bought it almost 10 years ago (9/'97) and finally decided to part with it. I compared it with her latest VSA Competition Bow she made just last year and they are so close. I also had a 2004 Bow that I just sold to a friend of mine and one thing I see in all her Bows is this beautifully flamed Abalone slide.

New one;



My other two (the first one below was sold last year);



Her work is so neat it's hard to believe it's made by human hands. Also, her Bows are kind of organic in that you can see the Octagon turning into a round stick just after the grip. She told me she does this on purpose to show the Bow being made. I have owned 3 of them now and have seen at least 2 others, one being Don Higdon's early Lipkins German model Bow.

I don't mean to tease out here as her Bows are expensive and rare as well but credit must be given where credit is due.

I will post pics of the new/old Lipkins as soon as I find the time.