Gasparo da Salò is the name given to Gasparo di Bertolotti, one of the earliest violin makers

Luthier

A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...

 and expert double bass player of which many and very detailed historical records (about 100 documents and over 80 original instruments) exist.

He was born in Salò on Lake Garda, in a family with legal, artistic, musical and craft interests. His grandfather Santino, a land and flock owner, probably producer of musical gut strings, moved from Polpenazze to Salò, capital of the Riviera del Garda, to give more opportunities to the family. The art and music scene in Salò was very rich and vibrant. Gasparo is the son and grandson of two brothers musicians, players and composers of the highest professional level, Francesco and Agostino, specialized enough to be called in documents “the violì” or even in extended form, to avoid doubts, “ the violini”.