Louis Bégin - Archetier
Canadian bow maker Louis Bégin has been making bows since 1981. He offers many different models, all of them inspired by his research on original bows. His bows are used by many professional musicians around the world: in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
Louis studied viola da gamba with Wieland Kuijken in the Brussels Royal Conservatory. When he returned to Canada, he had an active and rewarding life as a working performing musician and teacher of the viola da gamba in several colleges and universities. He became increasingly interested in bow-making, and returned to Europe several times to learn from other bow makers and to continue his personal study and analysis of original bows in various European museums and private collections.
An understanding of Baroque bows requires expertise in the areas of musicology, iconography, and the study of original manuscripts, but also to a detailed technical analysis of original instruments and bows. Louis has combined his interest and knowledge in these areas to enrich his esthetic and practical understanding of early bows.
Representing Louis Bégin at BFX 2026 is Timothy G. Johnson.
In Unity Hall
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LOUIS BÉGIN – Archetier
Timothy G. Johnson, REP.
793 Chemin de la Source
Lantier, QC J0T 1V0
Canada
+1 819-324-0944
louis.begin@hotmail.com
Louis on Facebook
Double Bass bow: German model, snakewood stick, frog & button, Mammoth ring .
Short violin bow: French model, Ironwood stick, fossilized walrus tusk
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