Every child who aspires to be a violinist knows the name of Antonio Stradivari and also understands that violins that bear his name, in the Latin form Stradivarius, are among the finest musical instruments ever constructed. Stradivarius violins are famous for both the amazing prices they can command and for the purity and beauty of the music they produce.

The Italian violin was the premier instrument for many centuries for all who play strings, and Italy produced some of the most skilled violin makers in history. All violinists know about Amati and Guarneri, but Stradivari is without doubt the most notable and respected and his instruments still the most coveted. He was in fact a student of Amati himself, but exceeded even that great a master.

In addition to violins, Stradivari also made violas, cellos, guitars and harps, which accompanied the Stradivarius violin in some groups and orchestras. Approximately 70% of the instruments Stradivari created survive today, the majority of these being playable and in use. The fact that these instruments have survived the nearly 300 years since his death only reinforces the idea of quality.

There are two distinguishing characteristics of the Stradivarius violins in addition to any other stringed instrument made by a luthier. (The luthier is craftsman of any sort of stringed musical instrument. The word originates from the root of "lute.") The first characteristic was construction, as the style of the bending in the curvature of the central portion and the case became modernized. Stradivari in addition altered the fat and slim portions of the body to an exact measurement which he developed into the ideal tone, as an outcome his musical instruments are quite alike in sound.

Many people think the critical secret to the "Strad" is the varnish used to cover and protect the wood. Stradivari created his own formula and kept it a closely guarded secret and other luthiers have been trying to duplicate it for many years. One problem is that analysis would damage an instrument, and few owners would consider taking that risk. People are still trying to match his techniques today.

Some famous violinists favor other instrument makers, but few would turn down a chance to play one the existing Stradivarius violins. Some masters own several, but this is becoming more unlikely with instruments bringing more than $3.5 million at auctions recently. Such instruments have been very carefully authenticated since there are so many fakes and imitations.

"Strads" with the Latin words label "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno" ("made in Cremona by Antonio Stradivari") and with a date at the end of the inscription are typically real. But the problem is that fake, copycat "Strads" do also! Most beginners have ones that are not expensive and have both the Lain words and the date inscribe on them but as a reality check there is a tiny "copy of" or "replica" etched in, too. Some countries have laws that make replicas legal as long as they have these tiny words written on them.