Bowspeed Closed

[Burns-bass]

This is a genuine closure and it's sad news!

 

https://www.bowspeed.com/

 

They gave me unlimited time and space to choose a new bow. I actually chose the wrong one, but have since rectified the situation. Anyway, it's still an amazing shop and it's a big gap in the classical world.

[NickA]

That one is really bad. The only specialist bow shop there is (was) in the UK.

 

Glad it's retirement not bankruptcy.  I see the stock is going to auction.

 

"OUR HUGE SELECTION OF BOWS IS NOW BEING AUCTIONED by Amati Instruments Ltd., 10A Chandos Street, London, W1G 9DQ (2 minutes walk from the B.B.C’s Broadcasting House), 0207 099 7114."

 

Doubt there will be any bargains once auctioneers fees are added, but worth a look. Most of the bows have bowspeeds price stickers on so you can see the approx value.

 

https://app.amati.com/en/auction/1128-the-hamilton-caswell-retirement-sale-5th-6th-november

Edited 1 hour ago by NickA

[Burns-bass]

52 minutes ago, NickA said:

That one is really bad. The only specialist bow shop there is (was) in the UK.

 

Glad it's retirement not bankruptcy.  I see the stock is going to auction.

 

"OUR HUGE SELECTION OF BOWS IS NOW BEING AUCTIONED by Amati Instruments Ltd., 10A Chandos Street, London, W1G 9DQ (2 minutes walk from the B.B.C’s Broadcasting House), 0207 099 7114."

 

Doubt there will be any bargains once auctioneers fees are added, but worth a look. Most of the bows have bowspeeds price stickers on so you can see the approx value.

 

https://app.amati.com/en/auction/1128-the-hamilton-caswell-retirement-sale-5th-6th-november

I met the family when I was last there and they’re a wonderful bunch. I think the closure was forced to some degree by the state of the building (but I can speak with any authority on that).

[Beer of the Bass]

Oh, that's a shame, I was fully planning on auditioning some German bows from them whenever I was feeling flush enough. 

I might try a speculative bid or two on the auction, you never know, especially with the German bows where demand might be lower...

[NickA]

I'm sure the dealers will be all over this auction, but y'know, put in a bid 70% of the ticket price and it may beat what a dealer will pay as theyll be hoping for a fat markup in their own shops.

 

Amati will sting you for 22% of the hammer price plus VAT.  So a £1000 bid would cost £1000 + £220 + £44 = £1264 plus delivery (plus vat)..caveat emptor.

 

Whoever buys that Dodd cello bow will be paying around £4000 in comission and tax alone.

[Burns-bass]

9 minutes ago, NickA said:

I'm sure the dealers will be all over this auction, but y'know, put in a bid 70% of the ticket price and it may beat what a dealer will pay as theyll be hoping for a fat markup in their own shops.

 

Amati will sting you for 22% of the hammer price plus VAT.  So a £1000 bid would cost £1000 + £220 + £44 = £1264 plus delivery (plus vat)..caveat emptor.

 

Whoever buys that Dodd cello bow will be paying around £4000 in comission and tax alone.

When I last went to the shop it was 30% off retail price for everything in the store. Was going to put a post here but I was there before closing in the last few days and the deal was only for in person shoppers not online I believe.