Bow Maker
Giovanni Lucchi
Cremona, Italy
Giovanni Lucchi was an Italian bow maker noted for founding the first school of bow making in Italy. He worked for several years as a musician and instructor, and in 1971, he began constructing and restoring bows. He went to Brienz, Switzerland, to apprentice under Siegfried Finkel.Read more
Short Bio
Full Name: Giovanni Lucchi
Age: 82
Highlights
New making style: New
Credentials
Master Maker
Acknowledge Maker Worldwide
Wood and sound expert
Instruments Played by Famous Soloists
Background as a Musician
Locally making
Cremona, Italy
Maker Background
Lucchi trained as a double bassist, graduating from the Conservatorio Statale di Musica "Gioachino Rossini" in Pesaro in 1963. He worked for several years as a musician and instructor, and in 1971, he began constructing and restoring bows. He went to Brienz, Switzerland, to apprentice under S. Finkel.In 1976, Lucchi founded a school for bowmaking in Cremona, Italy, where he taught bow construction, maintenance, restoration, and style and design courses. In 1983, Lucchi invented the Lucchi Meter, a device used to measure the speed of sound in wood that has become a standard tool for bow makers.
Lucchi was active within the community of luthiers and bowmakers, holding various posts among professional societies and writing and often speaking in journals and conferences relating to the art.
Giovanni Lucchi died on August 2nd, 2012. He left a great legacy for the bow-making scenario.
Professional activities
Secretary, Italian Association of Violin and Bow Makers (1991 to 1992).
President, Violin and Bow Makers of the Artisans' Association of the Province of Cremona (1991 to 1998).
Representative for Cremona to the Triennale Assembly.
Member of the European Association of Master Violin and Bow Makers.
Maker Interview
What famous people play your instruments?
His bows are played by the best musicians worldwide like Mstislav Rostropovich, Pinchas Zukerman, and Gary Karr.