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Grave & Aigo (Italian language?)

Bob HoloBob Holo Moderator
edited August 2007 in Gypsy Jazz Italia Posts: 1,252
I just looked under the bridge of a guitar made by an Italian luthier living in France in the 1940s and 1950s.

On the underside of the bridge were written the two words:

Grave (under the bass side)
Aigo (under the treble side)

It is common to write on the underside of the bridge so you know which side you're carving while you make or shape the bridge.

But, I have looked these words up and they translate to "Serious and Garlic"

Is this something colloquial? Is it informal speech?
You get one chance to enjoy this day, but if you're doing it right, that's enough.

Comments

  • François RAVEZFrançois RAVEZ FranceProdigy
    Posts: 294
    Hello,

    It is probably french : grave which means low (for a sound) and aigü which means high (for a sound).

    So no need to put some garlic under your bridge.

    Best

    François RAVEZ
  • A.K. KibbenA.K. Kibben Tucson AZ USANew
    Posts: 217
    It is probably french : grave which means low (for a sound) and aigü which means high (for a sound).

    So no need to put some garlic under your bridge.

    Oh, that's just great! Now you tell me! No wonder my playing stinks!

    Nice to see you posting, Francois.
    PM me your mailing address as I have something to send you. I lost your address...

    Best regards,

    A.K.
  • Bob HoloBob Holo Moderator
    Posts: 1,252
    Thank you!

    You're right - it is aigü.

    It is a beautiful old guitar - a Busato which was consigned by Mano Drey to Guitare Village in Domont. I purchased it a few weeks ago. It is difficult to find anything about Messrs. Busato or Drey - Even the names are mysteries. Some people say Bartolomeo Busato and some say Bernabe Busato. Some people say Mano Drey and some say Mano Dray.

    But now I know that Busato spoke (or at least wrote) French.

    There is a top crack and a slight seam separation and so I have spent portions of the last two days inspecting the inside and outside of this wonderful guitar so that I can find the best way to lightly make the repairs without changing the amazing tone of this guitar. It has reverb. I'm not yet sure why - it isn't the tailpiece or the strings between the tailpiece and the bridge (like the pre-war Epiphone archtops) It simply has reverb - and the treble is so thick and yet it is articulate.

    Thanks again,

    -Bob
    You get one chance to enjoy this day, but if you're doing it right, that's enough.
  • emicademicad Rome - ItalyModerator
    Posts: 472
    Hy Francois! Happy to read your brilliant posts!
    :D
  • Posts: 2
    Bob,

    Sounds like a nice Busato guitar! I'd love to see a photo of it. As to Signore Busato's first name, I was told by luthiers J-P Favino and Luc DeGeorges that it was Bernabe Busato, and his nickname was to some, Pablo.

    The name "Bartolomeo" Busato was made up by a guitar seller just for fun, as he told me.

    Michael
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