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S. Bang: Difference between revisions
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'''Ulf Noltensmeier''', also born in 1948 and a native German, began making pipes during his military service. He went to Denmark shortly after and was hired by Preben Holm in 1970, too. Evidently, Noltensmeier and Holm were not on good terms. When he asked him if they could do something about the noise in the workshop Holm, basically a lad of 23 at the time, said NO, if you don't like it, you can leave. So he did to work for '''[[Anne Julie]]''' subsequently for 15 months before he followed Svend Bang's call in 1971. Now the Bang crew was complete and the success story of the S. Bang Pipes really began! | '''Ulf Noltensmeier''', also born in 1948 and a native German, began making pipes during his military service. He went to Denmark shortly after and was hired by Preben Holm in 1970, too. Evidently, Noltensmeier and Holm were not on good terms. When he asked him if they could do something about the noise in the workshop Holm, basically a lad of 23 at the time, said NO, if you don't like it, you can leave. So he did to work for '''[[Anne Julie]]''' subsequently for 15 months before he followed Svend Bang's call in 1971. Now the Bang crew was complete and the success story of the S. Bang Pipes really began! | ||
The beginning wasn't free of conflicts and turbulences, for initially not all conceivabilities of Hansen and Noltensmeier concured thoroughly with Bang's. The latter was deeply impressed with the enormous success of Preben Holm, who managed a real pipe factory with more than 40 people at this time and produced high-value pipes in huge numbers. Svend Bang wasn't unwilling to see his business developing into this direction. Also detail questions had to be clarified. For instance, Bang found hand-cut mouthpieces too costly and time-consuming - His young pipemakers however were set on meticulous, complete handwork in every aspect and using the very best materials exclusively. Bang finally let convince himself by the success of the absolute quality Hansen and Noltensmeier produced. Fortunately, one would like to add. | [[Image:Bang Pipe03.jpg|left|thumb|]][[Image:Bang Pipe04.jpg|right|thumb|]] | ||
The beginning wasn't free of conflicts and turbulences, for initially not all conceivabilities of Hansen and Noltensmeier concured thoroughly with Bang's. The latter was deeply impressed with the enormous success of Preben Holm, who managed a real pipe factory with more than 40 people at this time and produced high-value pipes in huge numbers. Svend Bang wasn't unwilling to see his business developing into this direction. Also detail questions had to be clarified. For instance, Bang found hand-cut mouthpieces too costly and time- consuming - His young pipemakers however were set on meticulous, complete handwork in every aspect and using the very best materials exclusively. Bang finally let convince himself by the success of the absolute quality Hansen and Noltensmeier produced. Fortunately, one would like to add. | |||
The success of these high-grade pipes soon exceeded the capabilities. By the end of 1975 the workshop bursted at the seams. So, in 1976 Bang's Pibemageri resettled in Struenseegade 9 in Copenhagen's northern area where it is yet today. | The success of these high-grade pipes soon exceeded the capabilities. By the end of 1975 the workshop bursted at the seams. So, in 1976 Bang's Pibemageri resettled in Struenseegade 9 in Copenhagen's northern area where it is yet today. | ||
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Time for an interlude - the <font size="3">'''Löfberg Pipes'''</font>! | |||
As insinuated above, Svend Bang himself never was nor became a good pipemaker. However that did not prevent that he occasionally tried it. Ca. around 1976/77 he got really serious about it. It’s conceivable that Hansen and Noltensmeier lended their boss a helping hand in his efforts to create pipes but as well they seriously dissuaded to offer these pipes as original S. Bang Pipes due to the minor quality. | |||
Svend Bang wasn’t to be discouraged so easily and approached his German distributor '''Otto & Kopp''' with a suitcase full of sample pipes he presented to '''Bernd Kopp''', at that time managing director. These pipes had been named Löfberg - the girl’s name of Bang’s wife. Well, Mr. Kopp was not convinced either - particularly of the pipes’ quality – and clearly stated his opinion that Bang would not do a favor neither to himself nor to the original Bang pipes offering them. - Thereupon Svend Bang went off empty-handed and deeply insulted - simply leaving behind the Löfberg pipes in Mr. Kopp’s bureau… | |||
Almost forgotten the Löfberg pipes gathered dust in the warehouse of Otto & Kopp for approximately 28 years. Until '''Oliver Kopp''' showed them in 2005 to '''[[Volker Bier]]''', engaged tobacconist, inspired pipemaker and founder of the Lohmar Pipe Show, who was in search of something special to offer to his customers. When Bier presented these pipes to the public, some well-known "pipe experts" felt called to cast doubt on the authenticity of these pipes at the top of their voices. The “arguments” and “evidences“ these gents cited are hardly to surpass for their absurdity. Obviously they found the idea intolerable, that there might be pipes that had remained unknown to them. Therewith not enough - Volker Bier had to fend off vilest personal defamation. Thankfully he was saved by Oliver Kopp and Hansen & Noltensmeier who confirmed the origin of the pipes and their authenticity: Löfberg pipes are real Bang pipes – made by Svend Bang in person! | |||
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[[Image:Bang Pipe05.jpg|left|thumb|]][[Image:Bang Pipe06.jpg|right|thumb|]] | |||
[[Image:Bang Pipe07.jpg|left|thumb|]] | |||
Svend Bang evidently felt a great deal of pride in the product that he initiated throughout his career and retirement and until his death in 1993. | Svend Bang evidently felt a great deal of pride in the product that he initiated throughout his career and retirement and until his death in 1993. | ||