Roger Zabinski (b. 1950, d.2024) was a celebrated maker of modern bows, highly decorated by his peers in numerous competitions, and a cherished contributor to the archetier tradition. We are so fortunate that he was our neighbor here in Minneapolis, MN during his entire career. Zabinski trained with Vaido Radamus in violin and bow making in 1973. In 1976, Zabinski began training with Martin Beilke, an internationally known bow maker also based in Minneapolis, until 1979. Roger worked at Givens Violins from 1978 to 1983 eventually specializing in bow making. He went to on to learn the French methods of bow making from William Salchow in 1984. Zabinski had made over 900 bows. He was inspired by and modeled his bows after Sartory, Peccatte, and Tourte before evolving  his own original pattern We are overjoyed having two of Zabinski’s viola bows for you to try and perhaps make one your own!
As always, Zabinski makes beautiful and wonderfully comfortable bows for us violists. This bow enables brilliant and easily coaxed spiccato, sautille, and bariolage requests. From tip to frog, the bow hugs the strings assuredly with a pure, resplendent, and refined tone. Come in and treat yourself to bows made by Zabinski.