Born in Botticino, near Brescia, in 1580, Giovanni Paolo Maggini was Gasparo da Salò's main assistant for some decades. After his death, he became the head of the Brescian school, which he continued in the original style that had absorbed from his teacher; his contemporaries from Cremona couldn't in fact exert more than a modest influence on his work.
Maggini's violins are often based on a long model, although some have more normal measurements if judged according to the modern standards. His large instruments have been nevertheless popular until the end of the 19th century, and are thought to have provided inspiration to Antonio Stradivari for the conception of his "Long Patterns". Maggini's F-holes are very elongated in shape (which on the other hand would have inspired Guarneri del Gesù), and have lower and upper eyes of the same size. Maggini's violas as well are highly sought after, partly thanks to the positioning of the Fs, which are moved up on the top and result in a shortened string length even on large instruments. He also made cellos, which are today quite rare, and fine double basses. His instruments are often decorated with a double purfling in fig wood which develops in an elaborate decoration on the central part of the back.
Maggini's workmanship was more precise and refined than that of his teacher, but his school came to an end after his death during the plague of 1630.
