INTRODUCTION

. jjj. Francisco Gonzalez is dedicated to the construction, restoration, re-hairing and reparation of all kinds of damage to violin, viola, cello and double bass bows. He sells antique, baroque and student bows for musicians, teachers, and students, at a wide range of prices, including instruments of high quality. He also organises insurance for instruments and bows.

. . . . Francisco Gonzalez is the first qualified bow-maker established in Spain in 1983. He studied with the maestro Giovanni Lucchi in Cremona, Italy, where he obtained his diploma. He possesses the highest performance qualifications for the cello, which gives him great sensitivity and in-depth knowledge of sound production, both in relation to the bow and the instrument.

. . . . He is a member of the ENTENTE INTERNATIONALE DES MAITRES LUTHIERS ET ARCHETIERS D’ART (E.I.L.A), of the ASSOCIACION ESPAÑOLA DE LUTHIERS Y ARQUETEROS PROFESSIONALES (A.E.I.A.P.) and the INTERNATIONAL PERNAMBUCO CONSERVATION INITIATIVE (I.P.C.I.-COMURNAT). All the materials that he uses are acquired through completely legal channels, bearing, where required, a CITES international certificate. He was awarded the title of ‘TRADITIONAL MADRID ARTESAN 2004’.