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H. F. Grabenstein began his life in craft as a guitar maker in Washington D.C. in 1973. Arriving in VT that year, he met and began working with Viola da Gamba maker Peter Tourin.  In addition to making viols, he studied bowmaking with Wm. Salchow at the University of New Hampshire in 1982 and 1983 and was Bowmaker at the Tourin Musica from 1983 to 1990.  Grabenstein continues to build a full range of historical bows for the viol and violin families of string instruments. Using snakewood, pernambuco, ebony and other hardwoods he creates beautifully detailed bows that play expressively and are secure on the string. Clients include: members of Fretwork, Acronym, A Far Cry, The Kings Noyse, the Van Swieten Quartet, the Baltimore Consort, Ensemble Galilei, Tempesta di Mare, The Diderot Quartet, Les Barocudas, Chatham Baroque, The Orchestra of the 18th Century, The Boston Symphony, The Chicago Symphony, and The Cleveland Orchestra.