Website: www.guarnerihouse.com
Location and Contact info:
221 John St. NE • Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 451-4960 • Fax: (616) 451- 9556
E-mail: Sreileymbm@aol.com
(map)
Luthiers:
Steven Reiley – President and Master Bass and Bow Maker. Steven Reiley holds two degrees from the University of Michigan, a Bachelor’s and Master’s in String Instrument Studies. His areas of emphasis were a major in double bass performance, and a minor in cello. He has worked as a faculty member of Eastern Michigan University and as a manager of the University of Michigan Orchestras, serving as assistant to Theo Alcantara. Steven’s principal activities at Guarneri House are hand crafting double basses and bows from special commissions as well as restoration work on basses and bows from around the world. Steven appraises instruments and bows brought to him from many sources. In addition to his duties at the shop, Mr. Reiley serves as Centerfold Editor of “Bass World” magazine, a publication of the International Society of Bassists. Some of the world’s leading concert artists, professional musicians and teachers such as Lawrence Hurst, Ani Kavafian, Edgar Meyer, Yo-Yo Ma, Schlomo Mintz, Ruggerio Ricci and Mstislav Rostropovich and many others have purchased bows made by Steven Reiley. His basses can be found in the Cleveland, Philadelphia, Omaha, and Pittsburgh Orchestras. Lynn Harrell, world-renowned cellist, writes Steven that he finds his Reiley bow “superb” and finishes with, “I cannot tell you how delighted I am with it.” Mr. Reiley recently won two awards of distinction at the 2003 International Society of Bassists Makers Competition. His Testore model double bass won a “Certificate of Tone” and his French-style bass bow won the “Convention Favorite” award. In 2005 at the International Society of Bassist Makers Competition, Mr. Reiley’s bow won a “Certificate of Workmanship” and a “Convention Favorite” award.
Paula Reiley – Manager. Paula is the co-owner and General Manager of Guarneri House. Her numerous duties include, corresponding with our worldwide customer and supplier base. Paula is also wife to Guarneri House President Steven Reiley.
Steven McCann – Master Restorer. Steven is Guarneri House’s expert on making, restoring, and repairing violins, violas, and cellos. His handcrafted instruments are recognized for their excellent craftsmanship, easy “playability,” and aesthetic beauty. Steve has been in the business for twenty-five years, originally training at Bein & Fushi in Chicago, IL. He headed Kschier Brothers in Pittsburgh before moving to Grand Rapids. Steve has worked for Guarneri House since 1985.
Aaron Reiley – Aaron has worked with wood all of his life, growing up around the workshop of Guarneri House. However, his full potential as a luthier wasn’t realized until he began working full-time for his father, Guarneri House president Steven Reiley. Aaron has, in the last four years, gone from setting up instruments to working on a three-year-long restoration project, that of restoring a Testore double bass. Aaron constructed his first double bass, a Panormo model, patterned after an instrument owned by concert bassist and teacher Larry Angell. Aaron’s first bass received high marks from the judges at the 2003 International Society of Bassists Makers Competition. Aaron made a second bass for the 2005 ISB Makers Competition and again received high marks. A talented bassist at the convention purchased the bass. Aaron is in the process of making a copy of Edger Meyers Gabrielle bass.
About the Guarneri House:
We are Dealers of rare string instruments and bows, located in the historic Heritage Hill District of Grand Rapids, MI. The Guarneri House collection consists of instruments and bows suitable for the beginning student to the seasoned professional through the consummate concert artist, as well as for collectors of fine, rare instruments and bows.
As well as being purveyors of instruments and bows, Guarneri House has a fully equipped, on-site repair and restoration workshop. Our experts have worked for years as master craftsmen and have won awards as makers of handcrafted instruments and bows. We repair and restore student level instruments, fine orchestral instruments, and beautiful, centuries-old rare instruments and bows.
From choosing a first instrument for your child to commissioning a handcrafted, professional instrument or bow for orchestral and concert use, Guarneri House provides courteous and knowledgeable service for your every musical need.
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We had the opportunity to experience a in-home selection and purchase of one of the basses from Guarneri House, with a visit from Aaron Reiley. WE knew our budget and we worked with Aaron as he brought 7 basses of various quality and integrity. What an opportunity for our 17 year old bassist son to get the feel and sound of these instruments and different bows. Talk about feeling like a kid in a candy store! The best part was this was not a hard sell, Aaron knew his craft and the industry. He answered our questions and we felt like we were buying a bass from a friend and not an in your face kind of sales guy. This experience exceeded all our expectations, we liked the convenience and time to get a feel for these instruments. My only regret was we couldn’t the most mellow and great bass into our budget. WE would do this again in a heart beat and highly recommend them if you live in the greater Chicago/Milwaukee area.