That's Why Stradivarius Violins Are So Expensive

How much do Stradivarius violins cost? They are said to be among the best violins in the world. Even if you’re not a musician, chances are you’ve heard the name Stradivarius. Many violinists dream of getting a chance to play an instrument made by the greatest violin maker of all time. But why are they so expensive?

Researchers have tried to learn the secret that makes Strads the best violins in the world, and the theories are many. Some say that Stradivarius violins are so superior because of the wood used, the size of the “f-holes” in the design, or the varnish. Some theories claim that the secret is in the uniform density of the 2 wooden panels that form the body of the violin. Others say that the secret is a chemical treatment that’s designed to kill woodworm and fungi.

TIMESTAMPS:
Who Antonio Stradivari was 0:56
How many instruments he made 2:14
What’s so special about Stradivarius violins? 3:10
How much the most expensive Stradivarius was sold for 6:00
The “Messiah” violin 7:46

#stradivarius #violinsecret

SUMMARY:
- Stradivarius violins were created by Antonio Stradivari. He was born in 1644 and opened up his violin shop in his hometown of Cremona, Italy.
- In the 1700s, Stradivari decided to improve his style yet again and had what is referred to as his “golden period,” a time when he created the best work of his life.
- Stradivari also produced other stringed instruments: cellos, harps, guitars, and violas. But it was his method of making violins that others would try to replicate for centuries.
- Stradivarius violins produce powerful and penetrating tones. They are said to have “brightness,” “expressiveness,” and “brilliance” (terms that describe sound quality).
- Scientists have tried to figure out if all the hype and myth around Strads is valid. The violins have been run through CT scans and X-rays and been the subjects of multiple studies.
- The most expensive Stradivarius was sold for more than $15 million. But not all Stradivarius violins are so expensive — some are valued at around $2 million.
- With the instruments being so highly prized, there are a lot of instances of people who claimed to be selling genuine Stradivarius instruments that turned out to be fakes.
- The “Messiah” violin, which Stradivari built during his “golden period” in 1716, is believed to be the most immaculate Strad left. It has never been played and has an estimated value of $20 million.

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[BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

Hi, Bright Siders! Do you play any musical instruments? 😊

[aleeshen]

I have a feeling twoset is gonna criticize this video

[ryann]

Ling ling doesn’t need this violin to make a beautiful sound

[Berkana]

Why do you have the smiling Nepalese man at 5:08 when you remark about sound projection being tested in a lab? What is this absurd use of stock video footage?

[icravecheddar]

How Strads are expensive.

Thumbnail: *the corners of the f-holes*

Me: *[visible confusion]*

[Doug_Zbi]

Standard joke: of 1100 Stradivarius instruments, only 3000 have survived 😄

[PointyTailofSatan]

I played a Strad once, and it sounded terrible. But then again, I had never played a violin before, so that might have had something to do with it.

[StonyRC]

When a video says "keep watching to find out blah blah blah" you can tell the whole thing is clickbait!

[ザミラ]

The only really important characteristic about his good violins are that the trees were grown in a very cold area without much growth per year. This made the individual layers of the tree very thin, so there were multiple thin layers very close to each other. This made the wood very dense, which proved well for the sound. The f-holes don't really matter that much. It's probably just the antiqueness and the fact it was made by a famous violin maker that makes them so famous.

[QWeirdness]

When I was young, I told my violin teacher (the legendary George Bornoff) that I was unhappy with my instrument and wanted to get something else. He handed me his instrument and said to try it. It was the best instrument I had ever played. I said, "Yeah, I want one like this." He laughed. I looked inside. The label said Antonio Stradivari 1704.

Years later, after he died, I was told that it wasn't in fact a Strad but a Vuillaume, a famous violin repairman and builder in 19th century France who built exquisite replicas of Strads. So, it might have "just" been a copy but it was still pretty amazing.

[opolopXD]

You aint got nothing on Ben Lee's 24K gold violin with 5 strings

[mushrooms]

Strads are expensive because of the history. The sounds and playabilty are subjective.

[michaelmiller]

Keeping à Stradivarius in a museum or library is a crime! They should be loaned out to orchestras or solo artists and played!

[mrsurname]

BRIGHT SIDE is the reason youtube needs a "block channel" button.

[cornerliston]

The Stradivarius is expensive because 1: They are old, 2: There are very few of them, 3: There is a market.

[madcowrebel]

Because they are old, rare and extremely well made.
Your welcome.

[ndviolinist]

I have played on at least 6 Stradivari that were in the Library of Congress, American Museum of the Smithsonian, and several owned privately. Not only did they all sound better than my Johannes Gagliano made in 1781 which I always loved, they were beautifully made. In the American Museum I played on the Hellier which is a decorated violin. I was playing softly towards the back of their hall and my 2 friends who were sitting at a table near the front stopped me and told me that they could not hear each other even though they are sitting right next to one another.
The sound of an instrument makes is highly dependent on the quality of the bow being used and on the way the violinist plays. Strads do not like being playing harshly with the violinist pressing with the bow.

[ndviolinist]

My violin was a Johannes Gagliano made around 1780. His grandfather was one of the last students of Nicolo Amati but overlapped Stradivarius. My bow, which makes a huge difference in sound quality, was a François Tourte, probably made in the 1790s, and considered by a large percentage of players to have been the greatest bow maker. I got the chance to play on at least 8 or 9 Stradivarius violins, mostly at the Library of Congress and the American Museum of the Smithsonian including the Hellier Stradivarius. It not only sounded fantastic, it is a decorated instrument. Look it up, it is quite beautiful. It also has the largest inside volume of any Stradivarius. . I was also able to play on a number of Guarneri del gesus, which some violinists consider to be as good or better than the Stradivarius. Every aspect of the great violins and bows are important. The quality of the wood, the treatment, the outline, the arches, the thicknessing of the wood, even the scroll. There is no "secret" to the Stradivarius, there were many aspects that added up to their greatness.

[lorik.]

What I find disturbing about the (b)rightside "video" is the TOTALLY inane inclusion of the random clips and stills that have no connection to the subject at hand nor respect deserved to the viewers.
Probably assembled by staffers who have never actually been to any concert featuring the violin.

[scootergrant]

All musicians are cringing before viewing the video to see how much is just basic knowledge that many go
And the length of the quote 'f' holes doesn't just make more 'sound', But changes its strength and many more factors in its texture. The main reason wasn't just quantity of volume released but many other factors that make creating violins an extremely respected art form.
Also the reason for the preference to the new violins is likely to any type of instrument. The ergonomics can really be the dominant factor in making the musician prefer it as it is mostly more comfortable which mentally affects many things. This sounds like s**t but for musicians in anything ever the weight ratio of a drumstick can affect EVERYTHING!