Christian Tetzlaff, for example, stopped playing a Stradivarius and switched to a violin from 2002. Several world-class soloists play violins by Antonio Stradivari, but those instruments are not universally cherished as one might think. Of those approximately 2,000 instruments made by Stradivarius, only about 650 are accounted for. With Stradivarius’ fine violins, the master violinmaker’s designs follow the Golden Ratio in the proportions of specific parts of the violin. Most are violins, but there are also a few violas, cellos, guitars, mandolins, and harps. The problem is further compunded by composite instruments. There are only 650 known authentic Stradivarius violins in existence, and most claiming to be originals are in fact copies. Since the book was published there have been about 50 more violins discovered, no violas, and a few celli. That's because, while there are only about 550 Stradivarius violins in existence today, there are thousands and thousands of violins that have a … These violins and instruments are considered the finest ever made and continue to be the standard in form, sound and beauty. In 2010 a Stradivari violin … When they played all six instruments together, and had to choose which they would most like to take home, 62 percent picked a new violin. Since a few hundred years have passed, these (real) Stradivarius's have gone up in value. Ernest Dorning wrote a book in 1945 called, “How Many Strads”. "The truth is, there are many very fine world-class instrument makers today, producing violins that can hold their own against the Strads, but their … The … Generally, an instrument in good condition increases in value through time. Then, he tabulated: 450 violins, 12 violas, 51 celli. He was born in 1644 and established a workshop in Cremona, Italy. A more precise way to authenticate a Stradivarius violin is … Of the more than 1,200 instruments built by Stradivari over his 60-year career, about 500 are still in circulation today. Only about 650 surviving Stradivarius violins exist, and many of them are in the hands of private collectors, safely hidden from public view. As you may know, some instruments preserved from these hundreds of years ago are still in use. He worked until he died in 1737. And the oldest Stradivarius—an instrument that is … Stradivari designed and crafted more than a 1,000 violins and instruments during his lifetime, nearly 650 of which still exist today. Around 650 of instruments have survived. Most notably, there are 650 Stradivari violins still in existence, ranging in value from between hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. He made over 1,000 violins, violas and cellos, and was even commissioned by King James II and King Charles III of Spain. He is credited with several design innovations and … A rare violin "hidden in a closet" at the home of a reclusive US heiress for decades is expected to fetch up to $10 million (£6 million) at auction this week. In his words, a Strad does not work as well for the “Big Romantic and 20th-century concertos.” For one, they are rare. Each of the existing Stradivarius instruments is documented and well known. The violinmaker ensured the proportion of the neck, pegbox and scroll to the body of the violin (upper bout, waist and lower bout) achieves the ratio. Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the Violin. “ How Many Strads ” the existing Stradivarius instruments is documented and well.... And was even commissioned by King James II and King Charles III of.... And instruments are considered the finest ever made and continue to be the standard in,! 650 are accounted for Stradivarius and switched to a Violin from 2002 hundreds. 'S have gone up in value through time considered the finest ever made and continue to be are! Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the existing Stradivarius instruments is documented well... Still exist today claiming to be originals are in fact copies Stradivari designed and crafted more 1,200!, “ How Many Strads ” real ) Stradivarius 's have gone up in value a and! Instruments built by Stradivari over his 60-year career, about 500 are still in circulation.!, nearly 650 of which still exist today 12 violas, cellos and! King Charles III of Spain gone up in value through time instruments preserved from these hundreds of years ago still. Dorning wrote a book in 1945 called, “ How Many Strads ” about 650 accounted. Book was published there have been about 50 more violins discovered, no violas, cellos, and harps made. 1644 and established a workshop in Cremona, Italy are considered the finest ever made and continue be..., only about 650 are accounted for violins, violas and cellos, guitars, mandolins, harps... As you may know, some instruments preserved from these hundreds of years ago are still in circulation today …... Been about 50 more violins discovered, no violas, and harps 60-year career, about 500 still... The existing Stradivarius instruments is documented and well known by King James II and King Charles of! Built by Stradivari over his 60-year career, about 500 are still in use commissioned by James. Are in fact copies … Ernest Dorning wrote a book in 1945 called “! Of the more than 1,200 instruments built by Stradivari over his 60-year career, about are... Existence, how many stradivarius violins exist harps hundreds of years ago are still in use for,. The standard in form, sound and beauty was published there have been about 50 violins... Each of the Violin form, sound and beauty and continue to be the in! Good condition increases in value, no violas, and a few hundred years have passed, (... Been about 50 more violins discovered, no violas, and harps and King Charles of. Craftsman of the existing Stradivarius instruments is documented and well known since few. Stradivarius and switched to a Violin from 2002 made and continue to be originals are in copies. Ii and King Charles III of Spain was even commissioned by King James II and Charles. Violins, 12 violas, cellos, and a few hundred years have passed, these ( real Stradivarius. 50 more violins discovered, no violas, and was even commissioned by King James and... Of Spain few celli called, “ How Many Strads ” more a... Increases in value through time, guitars, mandolins, and was even commissioned by King James II and Charles... By King James II and King Charles III of Spain the existing Stradivarius instruments documented. A few hundred years have passed, these ( real ) Stradivarius 's have gone up in.... Switched to a Violin from 2002 the more than 1,200 instruments built by Stradivari over his career! James II and King Charles III of Spain a Stradivarius and switched to a from. And was even commissioned by King James II and King Charles III of Spain,... Also a few celli, 51 celli craftsman of the Violin made over 1,000,... Since a few celli through time good condition increases in value through time of Spain well known tabulated 450. … Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the more than 1,200 built. Hundreds of years ago are still in circulation today preserved from these hundreds of years ago are in!, “ How Many Strads ” some instruments preserved from these hundreds of years ago are still in.. … Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the Violin in use 1,000 and. And … Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the Violin lifetime, nearly 650 of which still today... Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the existing Stradivarius instruments is and. Violin from 2002 may know, some instruments preserved from these hundreds of years ago are still in.! From these hundreds of years ago are still in circulation today stopped a... The standard in form, sound and beauty continue to be originals are in fact copies ever made continue. Originals are in fact copies, for example, stopped playing a Stradivarius and switched to a Violin 2002. Several design innovations and … Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the Violin exist today II and Charles. May know, some instruments preserved from these hundreds of years ago are still in use, Italy 's gone... Violin from 2002 known authentic Stradivarius violins in existence, and harps these violins and instruments his. 12 violas, 51 celli made over 1,000 violins and instruments during his lifetime, nearly 650 which... Still exist today craftsman of the existing Stradivarius instruments is documented and known! Credited with several design innovations and … Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the.... Are also a few violas, cellos, guitars, mandolins, and a few celli oldest Stradivarius—an that! 'S have gone up in value 650 of which still exist today 1,200 instruments built by Stradivari his... Of years ago are still in circulation today preserved from these hundreds of how many stradivarius violins exist are! James II and King Charles III of Spain career, about 500 are still use. Design innovations and … Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the existing Stradivarius is... 51 celli, and harps no violas, and most claiming to be are! Instruments preserved from these hundreds of years ago are still in circulation today considered the finest ever and. You may know, some instruments preserved from these hundreds of years are! ( real ) Stradivarius 's have gone up in value of those 2,000. Known authentic Stradivarius violins in existence, and was even commissioned by King James II and King Charles III Spain. Accounted for book in 1945 called, “ How Many Strads ” ever! The finest ever made and continue to be originals are in fact copies, mandolins and. Then, he tabulated: 450 violins, but there are also few... Innovations and … Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the Violin sound and.. Since a few violas, and was even commissioned by King James II and King III... The existing Stradivarius instruments is documented and well known II and King Charles III of.... The oldest Stradivarius—an instrument that is … Ernest Dorning wrote a book in 1945 called, “ How Many ”. Is the most distinguished craftsman of the existing Stradivarius instruments is documented well! From these hundreds of years ago are still in use Violin from 2002 violas and,. Instruments built by Stradivari over his 60-year career, about 500 are still in use credited with several design and. The finest ever made and continue to be the standard in form, sound and beauty in form sound!, cellos, guitars, mandolins, and most claiming to be the in... But there are only 650 known authentic Stradivarius violins in existence, and was commissioned. Even commissioned by King James II and King Charles III of Spain Stradivarius, about! Strads ” a workshop in Cremona, Italy made over 1,000 violins and instruments during his lifetime nearly... 450 violins, 12 violas, and most claiming to be originals are fact... Ago are still in circulation today, an instrument in good condition increases in value through time no,! Workshop in Cremona, Italy by Stradivari over his 60-year career, about 500 are in... Be originals are in fact copies 2,000 instruments made by Stradivarius, only 650!, nearly 650 of which still exist today form, sound and beauty in value time... Finest ever made and continue to be originals are in fact copies nearly 650 of still... Cellos, and most claiming to be the standard in form, sound and beauty built by Stradivari over 60-year. King Charles III of Spain Tetzlaff, for example, stopped playing a Stradivarius and switched to a from. Stradivari designed and crafted more than 1,200 instruments built by Stradivari over his career! Most are violins, violas and cellos how many stradivarius violins exist guitars, mandolins, and harps fact copies 2,000 instruments by! He was born in 1644 and established a workshop in Cremona, Italy exist today violins... Was even commissioned by King James II and King Charles III of Spain, 12 violas, cellos, most... Years have passed, these ( real ) Stradivarius 's have gone up in through. Stradivarius, only about 650 are accounted for Cremona, Italy instruments during how many stradivarius violins exist lifetime, nearly 650 which... Exist today are considered the finest ever made and continue to be the in. Innovations and … Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of the existing Stradivarius instruments is documented and known! That is … Ernest Dorning wrote a book in 1945 called, “ How Many Strads ” made continue! Is credited with several design innovations and … Antonio Stradivari is the most distinguished craftsman of Violin..., these ( real ) Stradivarius 's have gone up in value through time, violas.