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Antonio Maggini
Antonio
Maggini, also known as Pietro Santo Maggini, was thought to have been
related to the great master Paulo Maggini, but in later years was proved
to have been an imposture whom made very good instruments in his own right
but cashed in on the reputation of the aforesaid Paulo Maggini. He lived
and worked in Brescia, Italy in c1650's. As you can see from the
photograph it is a very fine looking instrument with violin corners and a
flat backed curving in at the top. The wood used is very fine grained pine
for the table and a heavy figured tiger maple on the back and ribs. The
varnish is a golden brown and has a really good feel to it. The sound is
quite exceptional, and whom ever Antonio Maggini really was, it is a great
shame that he never made in his own right as he was truly a fine master of
his craft.
Takehisa Aiba
Mr. Takehisa Aiba works and lives in Japan. He is the
principal double-bass in the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. He is one of
Japans great solo come orchestral players. Over the last fifteen years or
so he has visited Gallery Strings on many occasions and bought several
very fine basses. He has bought several really fine instruments for the
orchestra including the above said Maggini, also a very interesting bass
made by Richard Sprackley, who was the court maker for Queen Victoria.
Also bought was a very fine bass attributed to the maker Carlo Giuseppe
Testore. For himself he bought a Paul Bailly, which was made in the period
when he worked and lived in London. Takehisa Aiba is a great musician with
many fine instruments of his own.
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