Douglas Raguse
Fine Bows Since 1976
Quality, Consistency, Investment Value

About the Maker || Who Plays a Raguse Bow? || Testimonials
Current Prices || How Can I Try A Raguse Bow? || Contact Information

There is no shortcut to the creation of a fine bow; it starts with wood selection. Each bow stick must be evaluated for elasticity, density, quality and orientation of grain. Experience is the teacher here; specific playing characteristics can be built into the finished bow through wood selection and manipulation. Raguse bows are made by hand one at a time; they are the limited production of one maker. Consistency in workmanship and constant attention to detail result in user friendly bows that are well balanced, responsive and resonant. From the hand of the artisan to the hand of the artist, each Raguse bow is a unique creation that combines playability, artistry and investment value.

About the Maker

Douglas Raguse studied violin with George Zazofsky and Louis Krasner at the University of Miami School of Music. He was introduced to bow making by noted bow makers Lloyd Liu and William Salchow in the 1970's. Douglas maintained a bow making and restoration studio in Chicago from 1977 - 1996, serving many of the string players in the area. He established a studio on Michigan's Leelanau peninsula in 1996 where he continues to make and restore violin,viola and cello bows. His shop is located near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore and the Interlochen Center for the Arts. When he has had his quota of pernambuco dust for the day, Douglas plays violin and viola with the Peninsula Trio and Bay Chamber Strings. He is married to Susan Raguse, director of the Good Harbor Suzuki School.

Douglas participated in a number of bow making competitions from 1978 - 1988. He won a total of twelve awards for excellence in bow making during that period. Included is a Gold Medal from the Violin Society of America in 1980 and a First Prize in 1986 from the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers.

Douglas has twice served as a bow workmanship judge for the VSA International Violin and Bow Making Competitions: first in 1992 at Carlisle, Pennsylvania and again in 1998 at Salt Lake City, Utah. He also served as a bow judge for the 2003 International Society of Bassists Competition.

Who Plays a Raguse Bow?

Ruben Gonzalez, Co-concertmaster, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Ralph Matson, Concertmaster, Utah Symphony

Everett Zlatoff-Mirsky, Concertmaster, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Eriks Klavens, Principal Violin II, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

Eric Lee, Associate Concertmaster, The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra

Allen Sloan, Recording Artist, The Dregs

Geraldine Walther, Principal Viola, San Francisco Symphony, Takacs String Quartet

Li-Kuo Chang, Asst. Principal Viola, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

John Bartholomew, Viola, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Robert Swan, Viola, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

David Holland, Instructor of Viola, Interlochen Arts Academy

Joanna Mendoza, Principal Viola, Amarillo Symphony, Harrington String Quartet

Sheridan Kamberger, Principal Viola, Dayton Phiharmonic

Martin Anderson, Viola, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Leonard Chausow, Asst. Principal Cello, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

David Chickering, Principal Cello, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Brent Samuels, Cello, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Nancy Steltmann, Principal Cello, Grand Rapids Symphony

Robert Bergman, Cello, Detroit Symphony

Mark Evans, Cello, National Symphony Orchestra

and more than nine hundred other discerning violinists, violists and cellists.

Recent Testimonials and Comments

"I am enjoying the clarity and precision your bow has brought to my playing. I haven't found a limit to what it can do."

"I'm so pleased with both the sound and the control that I have with this
bow that you made."

"Am enjoying the new bow. Great response for spicatto."

"I want to tell you how happy I am with the copy you made of my Peccatte bow. The bow plays easily and is more forgiving than the Peccatte"

"Your bow is a real Ferrari of a stick - all of the technical twist and turns are made with greater ease and I get clearer tactile feedback, which enhances subtle technical timing. This bow simply makes my performing life easier and better."

"This is the bow of my dreams. Every concert or rehearsal I come home to tell my wife, I love this bow.
It is the best equipment purchase of my life."

"I play on a small 15.5 inch viola, but your bow made it sound
like it was 17 inches or so!"

"Your bow is definitely my favorite now; most of the time my fine Sartory stays in the case."

"My Raguse (bow) rocks!"

"Your bow has changed my approach to bowing; it does easily for me what I had to work at to get other bows to do. It has shown me how to relax hands and arms to get a more expressive sound."

Current Prices

Silver/ebony mounted violin, viola, cello bow:
$4,000.00

18kt gold/ebony mounted violin, viola, cello bow:
$6,000.00

Other mountings may be available upon request.

How Can I Try A Raguse Bow?

I make bows to suit your preferences for playability and tonal qualities. Bows can be shipped on "approval" for a 10 day trial period.

Contact Information

Douglas Raguse, Bowmaker
Cedar, Michigan
(231) 228-3438
Email: doug@ragusebows.com

Hours by appointment.

Links

Charles Rufino, Violin Maker

© 2007 Douglas Raguse. All Rights Reserved.

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