About Our Staff
Steven Reiley, President and Master Bass and Bow Maker. Steven Reiley holds a Bachelor's and Master's in String Instrument Studies from the University of Michigan. His areas of emphasis were a major in double bass performance, and a minor in cello.
As the owner of Guarneri House, Steven's activities range from hand crafting double basses and bows as well as restoration work on both. Steven appraises instruments and bows brought to him from all over the country and abroad. Some of the world's leading concert artists, professional musicians and teachers such as Ani Kavafian, Edgar Meyer, Yo-Yo Ma, Schlomo Mintz, Lawrence Hurst, and many others have purchased bows made by Steven Reiley. His basses can be found in the Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Omaha, Grand Rapids, Danish Radio Orchestra, Beijing Symphony and the Berlin Opera. 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 serves as Centerfold Editor of "Bass World" magazine, a publication of the International Society of Bassists. Mr. Reiley 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. Commissions welcome
Steven McCann, Master Luthier. 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-eight years, originally training at Bein & Fushi in Chicago, IL. He was head of the shop of Kschier Brothers in Pittsburgh before moving to Grand Rapids in 1985. Commissions welcome
Aaron Reiley, Luthier. 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. 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 (and sold)a second bass for the 2005 ISB Makers Competition and again received high marks. Aaron has made a copy of Edger Meyers Gabrielle bass and received high praise on his recent tour of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Commissions welcome
