Genovesi bowlback

[dave17120]

I have just acquired a bowl from ebay to rebuild. It was listed with a Dutch label, (which I suspect is a music shop or repairer) but which turns out to be by Genovesi and has the Catania stamp. Anyone know anything about him?
For that matter, does anyone know of a handy reference guide (other than mandolin cafe!!) to Italian makers??
Thanks in advance for any thoughts, Dave

[Jim Garber]

AFAIK, there is no handy reference to any maker, Italian or otherwise. Alex's book in Dutch has a few of the better ones listed and detailed (in Dutch). I usually check with Henley's Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers. There are some mandolin makers listed there as well. And then there is Mike Holmes' Mugwumps list for American fretted instrument makers. He has been working on an encyclopedia of American makers for some time but who knows when it will be published.

This is something that is sorely lacking for us bowlheads. I have been compiling all I can on all these Italian makers and hope to the info online at sometime soon. Details will follow.

Jim