Alfred Eugene Lanini was born in 1891 in Gonzales, California, and died in 1956 in San Jose, California.  Studied violin making with Dr Walter Hill. Went to Milan to work with Romeo Antoniazzi c.1911, and later for Celeste Farotti. Returned to San Jose 1914. Established a shop in San Francisco 1917, but moved back to San Jose in the same year. Eminent American violin and bow maker.  Completed up to 600 instruments, including 60 violas and 25 cellos. Several violins modeled on his own Omobono and Stradivari instruments; Guarneri models after 1930.