Are all stradivarius violins worth a lot of money?

Answer 1

All true Strads are extremely valuable. But remember that a high proportion of violins have a Stradivarius label because they are made in the style of the master, not because they are made in Cremona by him. There are also forgeries made to look like an original.

Answer 2

Not all actual Stradivarius violins are made equal. Some are substantially better than others, but every violin constructed by Stradivarius will be worth a good amount of money.

However, not every violin labelled Stradivarius was actually constructed by Stradivarius. Most are reproductions - Stradivarius is also a type of violin as well as a maker. We're pretty sure that the location of every violin made by Stradivarius is accounted for, so the chances of you owning one without realizing it are ridiculously small. But if you really want to know what it's worth, take it to a luthier (violin maker). A local music shop can get you in touch with one so you can have your instrument appraised.

Answer 3

I think they all are since it is believed that there are fewer than 700 genuine extant instruments, very few of which are unaccounted for, but the following certainly is.

A Stradivarius violin almost 300 years old has smashed the record for the amount paid for a musical instrument at auction, selling for $3.5m (£1.8m).
The instrument, made in 1707, broke the previous record of $2.03m (£1.07m) paid for a Stradivarius in 2003.

The buyer has not been revealed but Christie's in New York said he was a "benefactor and patron of the arts" who loves classical music.

It had been privately owned but was loaned to world-renowned orchestras.

The auction was tense, with gasps punctuating the bidding. A round of applause broke out when the price reached $3m (£1.5m).

"I have to admit it took my breath away," said Kerry Keane, head of the musical instrument department for the auction house.

He said the violin is likely to be heard in performances around the world following the purchase.

Superior sound


"These violins produce a sound, a tonal quality, that is unrivalled by any other maker"
Kerry Keane, Christies

Antonio Stradivari is considered the most distinguished violin maker in the history of the instrument.

He crafted over 1,000 violins, violas and violoncellos, and was commissioned by King James II of England and King Charles III of Spain.

Stradivari's later works are said to be some of his most powerful sounding instruments and the most coveted by musicians.

"These violins produce a sound, a tonal quality, that is unrivalled by any other maker," said Mr Keane.

"When they're played you can hear it at the front of the hall, and you can hear it all the way up at the back in the cheap seats."

The instrument sold at Christie's is known as The Hammer, and is named after Christian Hammer, a 19th Century Swedish collector.

It was made during Stradivari's "golden period" of 1700-1720, and was brought to the United States in 1911.

Before the auction, Christies had valued the violin between $1.5m (£800,000) and $2.5m (£1.3m).

Answer 4

Yes, it is a combination of craftsmanship and wood stain that have been unduplicatable even now with modern technology. So yes all of them are worth a lot of money.

Answer 5

yes. there are so few of them and the sound is marvellous.