Re: Hi there! I want to sell my violin, Giovan Paolo Maggini,163

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Giovanni Paolo Maggini (1580-c. 1630) born at Botticino (near Brescia, Italy), apprenticed with the master violin maker Gasparo da Salo. His early products show a strong Gasparo influence but are marked by rather crude workmanship. While acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various woods available to him, Maggini evolved his own style, and later, as a master, his own techniques of craftsmanship. He experimented frequently to improve the tone quality of his instruments and to perfect his construction methods; many of these improvements are still in use today. Maggini and Gasparo are considered the most important instrument makers of the Brescian school.

The instruments made by Maggini at the end of his career were his finest. They are known for the quality of the woods and unusually large sound holes (which are well curved and carefully finished), as well as for their exceptionally mellow tone. Many are ornamented on the back with such decorations as the St. Andrew's Cross, a clover-leaf device, tableaux, medallions, crests, or other motifs. Varnishes varied from a clear brown in his early efforts to a more brilliant transparent golden or reddish-brown color of rich quality in later instruments. The typical late-model Maggini has a double row of purfling and low sides.

Maggini is known to have made at least sixty violins, nine violas, two violoncellos, one double bass, and a few viols. His label appeared in the following forms:

Gio. Paolo Maggini in Brescia

Paolo Maggini in Brescia

Giovanni Paulo Megri
a Brescia, 1615
. Maggini instruments are still one of the most sought-after in the world by great players, but especially expert fiddlers. Since Maggini only made about 60 instruments, the probability of getting an original is pretty slim. Even well-made copies are hard to come by.Maggini violins, our reproduction included, are slightly larger (but with a standard playable string length of about 13") than later violins, such as those by Amati and Stradivari (Giovanni Paolo Maggini was 15 years deceased before Antonio Stradivari was even born in 1644, give or take a year or so), and are known for their beautiful depth in tone and projection that is strong but warm. Some consider their tone dark or somber, but all of the Magginis pack a punch when it comes to projection (i.e. they are loud). It is noteworthy that many of the old instruments by Appalachian master fiddle makers were variations of Magginis, but generally more highly decorated.

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