La Bella – More than 380 years of string tradition from Italy and New York

La Bella is one of the oldest and most respected string manufacturers in the world, with a history dating back to the 17th century . What started as a family-run artisan business in the Italian village of Salle, grew into an international symbol of quality and craftsmanship. Today La Bella produces handmade strings for violin, guitar, bass and many other instruments, still with the same passion and precision as almost four centuries ago.

The Origin – Italy, 1640

The story of La Bella begins in the 1640s in Salle , a small mountain village in the Abruzzo region, Italy. At that time, Salle was known as one of the most important centers for the production of gut strings in Europe. Church archives mention families such as Berti , Dorazio , Ruffini and especially the Mari family , who specialized in making strings for lutes, violins and early guitars. The Maris even supplied their high-quality gut strings to famous violin makers such as Amati and Stradivari in Cremona. The combination of fine craftsmanship and innovative use of materials laid the foundation for what would later become La Bella.

The Crossing to America – 1913

In 1913, brothers Emilio and Olinto Mari left their native country to seek new opportunities in the United States. They settled in New York City and started working in their Lower Manhattan apartment with the manual production of strings – both gut strings and the first steel strings. The quality of their work quickly spread among local musicians, and within a year they opened their first factory at 170 Fifth Avenue . The strings were sold under names such as La Preferita , Sweetone , Criterion , and New-Tone .

The Birth of La Bella – 1920

In 1920 , the La Bella brand name was officially registered and became the flagship line from E. & O. Mari Inc. . The name, which means “the beautiful one,” not only symbolized the beauty of the sound, but also the elegance of the craft itself. La Bella's reputation grew rapidly in both Europe and North America, and in 1927 the company was awarded the Gold Medal at the “First Exposition Trade Show” in Tripoli, North Africa.

From Italy to New York – growth and innovation

With growing demand in the 1930s, the company expanded its production, with factories in both the US and Italy. When World War II broke out, the Mari family decided to close the Italian factory and concentrate fully on their US branch in Queens, New York . The company remained active there for almost forty years and built a strong reputation among professional musicians in the jazz, orchestra and studio world.

A New Generation – Newburgh, New York

In 1981, La Bella moved its production to Newburgh, NY , where to this day every single string is made by hand . The factory combines modern technology with the traditional knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation. This makes La Bella unique: it is the oldest, continuously family-owned string manufacturer in the world .

Family heritage and craftsmanship

Today, La Bella is still run by the descendants of the founders: Richard Mari Cocco Jr. (President), his son Eric Cocco (Vice President) and his daughter Lorenza Cocco . Together they continue the centuries-old family tradition and safeguard the core values of the brand: quality, precision and musical expression . Their mission remains unchanged: to make the best strings in the world, for musicians of every genre and level.

Innovation and versatility

La Bella now produces a wide range of strings for both classical and modern instruments, including:

• Violin, viola, cello and double bass
• Classical and acoustic guitar
• Electric guitar and bass
• Mandolin, ukulele and world music instruments

Each string type is carefully designed to provide perfect balance between tone, tension and sustainability. Whether it's classical gut strings for historically inspired performances or modern steel and nickel strings for electric instruments – La Bella combines tradition and technology to achieve an unparalleled result.

Commitment to music and education

In addition to producing top quality strings, La Bella is also actively involved in the musical community. The company sponsors numerous festivals, competitions and educational programs, including jazz and rock clinics, grants and artist-in-residence projects worldwide. By supporting musicians of all ages, La Bella continues to contribute to the future of music and instrumental art.

La Bella at Viool-kopen.nl

At Viool-kopen.nl you will find a carefully selected range La Bella strings for bowed instruments. From historical timbres to modern clarity – with La Bella you choose for almost four centuries of experience, innovation and passion for music. Each string reflects the heritage of the Italian Mari family and the precision of their American successors.

Discover the La Bella string range at Viool-kopen.nl and experience why this brand has been considered since 1640 as one of the foundations of musical perfection.

In summary

La Bella is more than just a string brand – it's a living piece of music history. From the workshops of 17th-century Italy to the modern factory in New York: the combination of family heritage, innovation and commitment to quality makes La Bella a name that has inspired generations of musicians. With La Bella you choose a tone that transcends time.