Mario Maccaferri was an accomplished musician and luthier, renowned for his contributions to the world of music and instrument craftsmanship. Born in May 1900 in Cento, Italy, he was the fifth of seven brothers in a large family. His father, Erminio Maccaferri, worked as a guardian, and his mother, Demetria Atti, was a seamstress. Mario grew up in Cento, initially residing at the Valentini Mill in Viale Bulgarelli, where his father worked, and later in Via Cremonino, 12.
At the age of nine, Mario made the decision to leave school and found employment as a dishwasher in a local bar. However, his job didn’t last long as he broke many cups, leading to his dismissal. He then attempted to work at a butcher’s shop, but his fear of the sight of blood and animal heads outside the store caused him to flee. Despite his early job experiences, Mario had a passion for music, which ultimately shaped his future.
In 1911, at the age of 11, Mario became an apprentice to Luigi Mozzani, a renowned master luthier and musician. He trained under Mozzani in Cento, where he learned various guitar techniques, including the famous “tremolo Mozzani” and the use of a metal nail as a thumb pick. These skills allowed Mario to embark on his career as a concert artist at a young age.
However, his journey was interrupted in 1917 when he joined the army and subsequently broke his leg, leading to his discharge. After returning to Cento, he resumed working at Luigi Mozzani’s shop as an assistant manager. By 1919, Mario was recognized as Mozzani’s senior instructor and began touring as a classical guitarist.
In 1922, Mario introduced the cut-away design on his instruments, a technique he had learned from Mozzani. The following year, he opened his own guitar shop in Cento and also participated in motorcycle racing. Mario’s talent and craftsmanship earned him accolades, including gold medals for handcrafted violins at the Rome and Montecatini expositions in 1926 and a gold medal for a violin at the Fiume Exposition in 1927.
In 1928, Mario moved to Paris and worked in his uncle’s accordion shop. He continued his musical pursuits and recorded eight pieces. In the same year, he obtained a professor title from The Conservatory of Music in Siena. Throughout his career, Mario manufactured and sold various handcrafted guitars, mandolins, violins, violas, and cellos.
In 1931, Mario established a workshop in Mantes-la-Ville for building Selmer Guitars. He developed the free-standing guitar and produced the first Maccaferri-Selmer guitars, which featured a cut-away design.
The Collaborative Journey and Parting Ways of Henri Selmer and Mario Maccaferri
The partnership between Henri Selmer and Mario Maccaferri was a significant collaboration that left a lasting impact on the world of guitar craftsmanship. Together, they brought forth innovative designs and techniques, revolutionizing the industry. However, their partnership eventually came to an end, leading both men to pursue their individual paths. Let’s delve into their shared accomplishments and the circumstances that led to the dissolution of their collaboration.
Collaboration and Innovative Designs:
Henri Selmer, a prominent French instrument manufacturer, joined forces with Mario Maccaferri in the early 1930s. The collaboration resulted in the creation of the iconic Maccaferri-Selmer guitars, which introduced groundbreaking features to the guitar world. Notably, they were the first to incorporate a cut-away design, allowing easier access to the upper frets, and pioneered the use of innovative materials and construction methods.
Their partnership brought about a series of successful instruments that combined Maccaferri’s expertise as a luthier and Selmer’s reputation as a leading instrument manufacturer. These guitars gained popularity among musicians, and their unique design and tone became highly sought after.
The Dissolution of Partnership:
Despite their initial success, the partnership between Selmer and Maccaferri was short-lived. After about six months of collaboration, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Maccaferri discovered a clause in their contract that granted Selmer the right to terminate the agreement without any obligations towards Maccaferri. Realizing the potential risks, Maccaferri made the decision to leave Selmer in 1932.
This turn of events marked the end of their partnership, but it did not diminish the individual achievements of either Selmer or Maccaferri. Both men went on to make significant contributions to the world of music and craftsmanship in their own right.
Legacy and Individual Paths:
Following the dissolution of their partnership, Henri Selmer continued his successful instrument manufacturing business, primarily focusing on woodwind instruments. The Selmer brand became synonymous with quality and precision in the field of clarinets and saxophones.
Mario Maccaferri, on the other hand, embarked on a diverse and innovative journey. He ventured into the plastics industry, creating plastic instruments, such as ukuleles and guitars, under his own Mastro brand. Maccaferri’s contributions to instrument design and the development of plastic instruments remain notable achievements that have influenced the industry to this day.
The partnership between Henri Selmer and Mario Maccaferri brought about groundbreaking innovations in guitar design. Their collaboration resulted in the creation of the Maccaferri-Selmer guitars, which left a lasting impact on the music industry. While their partnership came to an end due to contractual issues, both Selmer and Maccaferri continued to make significant contributions individually. Their respective legacies remain a testament to their craftsmanship, innovation, and unwavering dedication to their craft.
Undeterred, Mario continued touring and teaching across Europe, resuming his concert activities in various venues. In July 1933, he suffered a hand injury in a swimming accident, which marked the end of his concert performances. During this time, he began developing his reed business and founded MASIM (Manufacture d’Anches Scientifiques pour Instruments de Musique) in 1935. MASIM produced and distributed reeds for saxophones and clarinets using innovative cutting techniques.
In 1936, Mario made his first trip to America to promote his reeds. He married Maria Centuori in 1937, and they had two daughters, Eliane and Antoinette, in 1938 and 1941, respectively. Mario’s interest in plastics was sparked during his visit to the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City.
Following the outbreak of World War II, Mario relocated to America and established the French-American Reed Company. In the early 1940s, he expanded his business ventures, developing plastic clothespins and founding Mastro Plastics Co. He introduced various plastic products, including wall tiles, and capitalized on the popularity of the ukulele by creating the Islander Ukulele.
In the 1950s, Mario’s Mastro company produced a range of plastic instruments, such as guitars, drums, percussion instruments, horns, woodwinds, and ukuleles. In 1964, Mastro acquired the US license to produce instruments featuring the pictures and signatures of The Beatles. However, a heart attack in 1967 prompted Mario to reassess his life and gradually step back from the plastics business.
In the late 1980s, Mario focused on developing a plastic violin, devoting much of his time to its creation. In 1990, he performed with his plastic violin at Carnegie Hall, showcasing his innovative instrument. Mario passed away on April 16, 1993, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of music and instrument design.
Today, Mario Maccaferri is remembered as a talented musician, a skilled luthier, and an innovative entrepreneur who made significant contributions to both the classical guitar and the plastics industry. His instruments, such as the Maccaferri-Selmer guitars and the Islander Ukulele, remain cherished by musicians and collectors alike.
