Don Reinfeld, Bowmaker

About my clients

My regular clients for bow repairs (some for over 20 years) have included Atar Arad, Charles Castleman, Steven Doane, James Dunham, Pamela Frame, John Graham, Alan Harris, Scott Haigh, Charles Haupt, Judith Ingolffson, Yoko Moore, Peter Salaff, George Taylor, James VanDemark, Robert Vernon, Donald Weilerstein, the Ying Quartet, Zvi Zeitlin, as well as members of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic, and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Over the years, I have also done occasional work for Dorothy Delay, Leila Josephewicz, Ronald Leonard, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Joseph Swenson, Maxim Vengerov, and Pinchas Zuckerman.

Reviews from clients

"In 1994 Don made a bow for me. We modeled it after my favorite bow at the time, made by A. Vigneron. My preferred bow now is the one Don made for me. I sold the Vigneron." Robert O. Zimmerman, Principal Bass, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

"My favorite bow by far is the French bow built for me by Don Reinfeld. It has remarkable clarity and projection, and shows exquisite workmanship. [He] has also provided me and my students at the Eastman School of Music with years of excellent bow repairs and rehairs." James VanDemark, Professor of Double Bass, Eastman School of Music

"We are really fortunate in Rochester to have Don Reinfeld available as our bow specialist; a craftsman who could hold his own as well in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. [He] is also a fine bow maker; I am a bow collector, own one of his bows, and compare it favorably with the work of any contemporary maker." Charles Castleman, Professor of Violin, Eastman School of Music

"Reinfeld's rehairs were among the very best I've ever had. Not only was the workmanship terrific, but the hair was so strong that after six months I had broken perhaps two or three hairs. I'm only sorry he doesn't come to Cleveland anymore!" Scott Haigh, Bassist, Cleveland Orchestra

"Don has excellent skills and great knowledge of the bows. He has been taking care of my bows for over 20 years since I joined RPO and I was always deeply satisfied with his job. Without doubts he is the best bow expert in our area and I strongly recommend him to my students, colleagues and friends." Boris Zapesochny, Violinist, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

"I've noticed considerable tonal improvement and smoothness -- more than usual, I think -- from my Hill bow since you re-haired it last month. You said that the Chinese horsehair you were using was "superb." I must concur, so much so that I wanted to write and tell you. My playing has not improved, so it must be the bow! Never before have I noticed such a marked improvement from a bow re-hairing. I'm sure it's both the superb quality hair and your skill at installing it. So, thank you -- and take a bow for your bow!" Charles Honeywell, Violinist, Rochester NY