Rebekka De Backer - bows

04/06/2026

One of my latest cello bows in the hands of Benjamin Glorieux, making the famous 1713 “Casals” Goffriller cello sing (before it was loaned to the winner of the Queen Elisabeth competition). Couldn't wish for a better start of the life of this bow 🤩

13/05/2026

Een leuk interview in mijn atelier over strijkstokken, in het kader van de Koningin Elisabethwedstrijd die nu volop aan de gang is 🎻Vanavond zal ik ook nog live te zien en horen zijn tijdens de pauze van de halve finale, rond 21u10 op VRT Canvas/Klara 😊

De halvefinalisten van de Koningin Elisabethwedstrijd spelen op kostbare cello's, maar eigenlijk is hun strijkstok of boog vaak nog belangrijker én duurder. Rebekka De Backer is een jonge boogbouwer, en cellist en jurylid Benjamin Glorieux probeert enkele van haar strijkstokken uit. "Ik geloof dat ...

21/04/2026

Finally another 2 cello bows are ready to find their way to the right musicians 🎶 One of them is definitely my personal favorite so far - a different tip and frog style, silver tipplate and some beautiful wood instead of mother of pearl make it quite a unique bow 🤩 I'd love to hear what you guys think!

27/03/2026

Time for a new chapter! The workshop (and me 🙃) is moving 😊 Therefore I will not take on any repair work around 4-17 May. After that, you'll be able to find me at Langeheidestraat 103, 3040 Ottenburg (Huldenberg) 🏡🔑

12/09/2025

Only 7 days left until Europe votes on this topic! Us bowmakers (and musicians) urgently need your help. The future of pernambuco, the only suitable wood used for violin bows, is endangered - and thus our job as well as classical music in general, and we need to take some action 🎻
What can you do?

✅ Sign and share this online petition: chng.it/nhTqNFrcLq
✅ Sign (alone or with others) our open letter (the enclosed picture) and
📝 take a photo/video with you and the letter and share it on social media under the hashtag
📝 send the signed letter to your country's Coreper (google "Coreper + name of your country, and the mailadress will pop up), to help push the vote on the topic in the right direction

The future of classical music depends on this, and every little bit helps. Thank you in advance for your effort and... let's spread the word! 💪

21/08/2025

As some of you know, I’ve been struggling with my health since a concussion last year - which still has its ups and downs -, but I hope to be back to new making soon. In the meantime I’m enjoying the incoming repair work of giving worn bows an upgrade in function ánd looks 🙃
And... Soon it’s vacation time, so see you back in October! 🏖
PS: the cutie from the picture is always up for some cuddles when you visit the workshop 🐾

28/07/2025

As some of you might've heard already, there's a lot going on on the topic of pernambuco recently. In short, Brazil demands for pernambuco (the only wood suitable for making modern professional bows) to be banned from trade, which has immense implications for the whole musical world. This would complicate traveling for musicians a lot, it would eventually lower the quality of bows that are available (thus the quality of classical music), and my precious job as bowmaker would be at risk of disappearing...
So please, let's sign and share as much as possible! 🎻🎵

Sauvons la musique, sauvons les bois précieux ! Save music, save precious woods!

17/04/2025

Pretty sunset view from the workshop window during late evening work 🩷

30/03/2025

For the 3rd year in a row, I was invited by CMB Puurs to teach a rehair course for a group of 10 students 🧵
I'm not sure I succeeded in making rehairing light and fun 😇 as it's always a good reminder for me of how many things need to be perfect to end up with a good result - so not being too hard on yourself as well.
Confusion, proudness, frustration and joyfulness were all quite equally present throughout the days with the students, but it's always lovely to be teaching 🤓 while feeling grateful for having had the most patient and kind teacher myself 🙏🏻

24/01/2025

Net dit mooie boekje in de brievenbus gekregen van het Museum Vleeshuis. "Meesterlijke handen, instrumentenbouw en vakmanschap vandaag", een verzameling van de verhalen, dromen en hoe een werkdag er zoal uitziet van 11 instrumentenbouwers - waarvan ik er één mocht zijn 😊

Transcriptie voor wie het artikel graag leest, staat bij de eerste foto 🎻

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Just got this lovely booklet in the mail from the Museum Vleeshuis. "Masterful hands, instrument making and craftsmanship today," a collection of the stories, dreams and what a working day looks like from 11 instrument makers - of which I got to be one 😊

Transcription for those who'd like to read the (translated) article is on the second picture 🎻