Bow & Bridge Violin and bow makers, as the old books printed them

Scan 138

The violin, its famous makers and their imitators, 1887

8 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.

1of Giovanni Battista more closely resemble the instruments of Stradivari than even those of Lorenzo, which is suggestive of his having, in some way, been brought early under the great master's influence. It is singular that his early labels contain no reference to Cremona, whilst on the late ones there is mention of the famous town, which evidences the correctness of the statement of Count Cozio relative to his birthplace. It is quite evident that he considered the model of Stradivari as that to be followed, and he does not appear to have changed his views on this point at any time, all his works being in accordance with the teachings of the great master.
3Giovanni Battista was particularly happy in the selection of his wood, it being generally of the handsomest kind. The backs of his instruments are mostly found to be divided, the markings of the wood being very regular; the bellies are of wood well chosen for tone, the varnish very transparent and of a brilliant colour. The scroll may be described as a rough imitation of that of Stradivari, and to partake generally of the character of the Stradivarian scroll from the date of 1728. The English possess some of the finest specimens of this maker, and were probably the first to recognize their sterling merits. In the correspondence which passed between Count Cozio di Salabue and Vincenzo Lancetti, in the year 1823, the Count says, "The instruments of G. B. Guadagnini are highly esteemed by connoisseurs and professional men in Holland and Germany."
5GUADAGNINI, Gaetano, Turin. Son of Giovanni Battista. Was both a maker and repairer of Violins; it was, however, in the latter capacity that his abilities were mainly exercised.
7GUADAGNINI, Giuseppe. Second son of Giovanni Battista. Worked with his father for some time at Turin. He ulti-

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