Francine Humbert-Droz
bow maker
Chavannes-près-Renens

« The camber of the stick is an important step because there is no good bow without adequate camber. It must have good hold and be able to bounce on the rope. »

A music lover since childhood, Francine Humbert-Droz learned the profession of bow maker by doing an internship with the bow maker Jacques Poullot before perfecting her skills with the master Luc Breton who oriented her towards baroque and classical. Since the 1990s, she has been repairing damaged bows and creating unique pieces to order for musicians around the world.

« The bow test at the end is extremely important. If there is a problem, I make new adjustments accordingly until I get a perfectly in tune sound. »

In her small workshop in Lausanne, Francine Humbert-Droz transforms tropical woods such as rosewood or pernambuco, Mongolian horsehair, mother-of-pearl and mammoth ivory into bows for violins and violas as well as for cellos. Armed with her planes, lathes, files and combs, she creates baroque, classic and modern pieces that she adorns with leather and gold thread.

Liens

https://www.24heures.ch/culture/musique/jouent-mozart-instruments-delabres/story/28182352

https://www.migrosmagazine.ch/francine-humbert-droz-la-passion-au-bout-de-l-archet

https://www.cardiffviolins.co.uk/francine-humbert-droz/