Meet the Maker

Discover who owns Stradivarius violins today, from museums and banks to foundations and collectors, and how these rare instruments are preserved.

Found a "Stradivarius" label in your violin? Learn how to identify genuine labels versus copies, and why many high-quality instruments carry this name today.

A complete guide to the best violin brands, or rather, the makers behind them. From Cremona's masters to contemporary luthiers like Luiz Amorim.

When discussing the giants of Italian violin making, names like Stradivari and Guarneri often dominate the conversation. Yet behind the brilliance of Cremona stands another master whose influence resonates just as powerfully. Matteo Goffriller was not only one of the most important Venetian violin makers of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, but also […]

In the late 1600s, northern Italy was already the heart of violin making. Cities like Cremona had achieved legendary status thanks to masters such as Antonio Stradivari and Andrea Amati. Nearby Brescia also held a powerful tradition of instrument makers. But not far away, another violin-making story was quietly taking shape in Milan. Unlike Cremona’s […]

Giovanni Battista Guadagnini: Life and Legacy of an Italian Luthier Explore the life and artistry of Giovanni Battista Guadagnini, whose distinctive violins and innovative style shaped eighteenth century craftsmanship and continue to inspire musicians today. Giovanni Battista Guadagnini is regarded as one of the most influential violin makers of the eighteenth century. His instruments are […]

The History of Antonio Stradivari Antonio Stradivari is famous for creating a few of the finest violins in the world of stringed instruments. In fact, his violins act as a benchmark for sound, function, and even perfection in the world of strings. His violins, or "Stradivarius violin," fall in a position of high demand for professionals in […]

"Understanding the curves of each instrument stimulates my creativity. While studying old violins like these, the exchanges with contemporary violin makers and players also inspire me a lot." - Hyun-Jung Park Hyun-Jung Park studied the violin from the age of 7, attending an art high school and university. She became interested in violin making while […]

Every instrument is different, so before starting the process of making, it is important to know the instrument's specifications and analyze its components, like the wood to be used. No matter what kind of instrument it will be, old, antiqued, copy, etc. The study beforehand is an important step, and it’s when the maker decides where […]

Discover the legacy of Nicolò Gagliano and the Gagliano family, the masters behind the Neapolitan School of violin making. Learn how their craftsmanship, style, and innovations shaped centuries of exceptional Gagliano violins. For more than two centuries, the Gagliano family defined the essence of the Neapolitan School of violin making.  Beginning with Alessandro Gagliano and […]