Lynn Armour Hannings, Bowmaker

A Project Close to My Heart in 2021: The story behind my new LH/Karr model

As a young student growing up in New York, I had the pleasure of attending the New York Philharmonic Young Peoples Concerts with Leonard Bernstein. Gary Karr, just 19 years old at the time, was a soloist at one of those concerts, performing “The Swan” from Carnival of the Animals. I had never heard the bass as soloist before and fell in love with the sound. As soon as I was big enough to take bass lessons, I signed up. I had the opportunity to study with Gary Karr while a student at New England Conservatory. His rich sound and lyrical style have been an inspiration to me in my years as a bassist in the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

This year I was approached by a young and talented bassist in Norway, Aaron Olguin, who asked if he could commission me to make a copy of Gary Karr’s most beloved bow. I immediately agreed to this exciting project.

I researched Gary’s bow, reconnecting with him after many years to get all the specs. It is a Bazin French bow stick retrofitted with a German bow frog—very strong, with specific weight and balance to fit Gary’s esthetic and musical style. I have created this bow based on this information and I am finding it extremely popular with bassists who are performing in orchestras as well as establishing successful solo careers. I am calling it my LH/Karr model and making it in deep appreciation for Gary’s great gifts to the bass world and to celebrate his 80th birthday.

The LH/Karr bow shown here is a pernambuco bass bow, with ebony frog and button mounted in sterling silver.

Professional-level Bows: entirely handmade; exquisite

The bow shown here is a pernambuco cello bow, with gold mountings.

Advanced Student-level Bows: handmade stick, with machined frog and button — all the playing advantages of the professional bow, without the cost

The bow shown here is a pernambuco viola bow, with silver mountings.