Contact · Thomas M. Gerbeth

Team

Thomas M. Gerbeth

Master Bow Maker

Thomas M. Gerbeth has run his workshop in Vienna since 1997. A particular focus of his work is the precise reproduction of important bows from the 18th and 19th centuries.

This is closely connected with extensive historical and practical research. Construction, proportions, choice of materials and stylistic characteristics of historical bows are studied and retraced through practical work. The aim is to gain a deep understanding of the original working methods and of the tonal and playing characteristics of these bows.

His work also includes the making of his own bows as well as demanding repairs and restorations.

Gerhard Th. Seifert

Bow Maker

Gerhard Th. Seifert works in the Vienna workshop in bow making, repair and restoration. His work combines precision craftsmanship with a sure sense for material, function and the individual characteristics of a bow.

A particular focus is the making of new bows, with careful craftsmanship accompanied by close attention to sound and playing qualities.

In 2023, he received a gold medal for his violin bow at the international bow-making competition in Mirecourt. The same bow also received the musicians’ jury prize for the best playing qualities.

Anke Gerbeth

Bow Maker

Anke Gerbeth has been an integral part of the workshop since it was founded. Her practical work focuses on bow repairs and rehairing, combining many years of experience with great care in the day-to-day work of the workshop.

Another important part of her work is customer care. She is involved in many of the workshop’s organisational processes and is an important point of contact for clients.

In addition, she contributes to the workshop’s theoretical and research work. She collaborated on the study “Between Rainforest and Concert Hall” and is the author of numerous specialist articles published on this website.

Workshop Hours

Workshop

Thomas M. Gerbeth

Bogenmachermeister
Stachegasse 25
1120 Vienna · Austria

+43 699 10 350680

Phone

Signal

Please contact us via WhatsApp whenever possible. Thank you!

Workshop Hours

Tuesday through Friday

10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
3:00–5:00 p.m.

Closed Mondays and Saturdays.

We accept:

Biography – Thomas M. Gerbeth

Thomas M. Gerbeth, born in 1968, completed his apprenticeship and journeyman training with Bogenmachermeister Wolfgang Dürrschmidt and R. Herbert Leicht. In 1989, he continued his studies with Günter A. Paulus and Steffen Kuhnla.

In 1991, he joined Richard Grünke’s workshop, where, in addition to making new bows, he focused on demanding repairs and restorations of fine bows. In 1993, he passed the master craftsman examination in bow making administered by the Chamber of Crafts for Middle Franconia. In September 1996, he further developed and refined his skills during an internship with Stéphane Thomachot in Paris.

In July 1997, Thomas M. Gerbeth established his own workshop in Vienna, becoming the first bow maker in Austria to hold a German master craftsman qualification. He served as secretary of the Association of German Violin and Bow Makers from 1998 to 2001 and as president of the Association of Austrian Master Violin and Bow Makers from 1999 to 2003.

For many years, Thomas M. Gerbeth has worked to conserve the pernambuco tree and promote the responsible use of its wood, which is essential to bow making. As Austria’s national delegate to the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative (IPCI), he brings together the interests of traditional bow making and the conservation and sustainable use of this distinctive tree species.

Passing on expertise is also particularly important to him. Together with his wife, Anke Gerbeth, he publishes the specialist journal “pernambuco,” dedicated to preserving, documenting, and sharing knowledge of the bow maker’s craft.

Memberships

Member of the Entente Internationale des Maîtres Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art (EILA)

Member of the Association of German Violin and Bow Makers

Member of the Association of Austrian Master Violin and Bow Makers

Member of IPCI Deutschland e.V.
International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative (Chairman of IPCI Deutschland e.V.)

Member of Eben!Holz e.V.

Medals & Awards

Gold medal at the First International Cello Bow Making Competition, Manchester, 1992

Groupe de Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art de France—bronze medal at the Second International Cello Bow Making Competition, Manchester, 1994

Gold medals in the violin and cello bow categories and a silver medal in the viola bow category at the International Violin Making Competition, Mittenwald, 1997

Joint second prize in the violin bow category, with a special prize for outstanding precision of craftsmanship, and third prize in the viola bow category, with a special prize, at the Third International Violin and Bow Making Competition of the City of Paris, the Concours Étienne Vatelot, in 2004

“Best Business in the Trade, Crafts, and Services Section” and second place overall in the 1999 Walter Nettig Prize

Winner of the “Art, Culture, and New Media” category and third place overall in the 2000 Walter Nettig Prize

Directions

The workshop is located in Vienna’s Hetzendorf neighborhood.

By public transportation: Take bus 62A to the Stachegasse stop. The workshop is about a ten-minute walk from Hetzendorf S-Bahn station or a fifteen-minute walk from Am Schöpfwerk station on the U6 subway line.

By car: If your navigation system does not recognize number 25, enter Stachegasse 21, then turn into the small private lane. Parking is available there; outside the lane, Vienna’s short-term parking rules apply.

Download directions as a PDF

Map showing the workshop at Stachegasse 25