Violins Of Plymouth

Born in Italy in 1644, Antonio Stradivari is considered to have been a disciple of Nicolo Amati, of the Amati family of luthiers of Cremona. In 1660, Antonio set up shop on his own in Cremona, though his early violins are generally considered inferior to those of his “golden age”, between 1698 and 1720. While his techniques have long been fertile soil for debate and not fully understood by modern craftsmen and scientists, it is known for certain that the wood used included spruce for the top, willow for the internal parts and maple for the back, strip and neck. This wood was treated with several types of minerals, including borax, sodium and potassium silicate, and vernice bianca, a varnish composed of Arabic gum, honey and egg white.

Several “Strad” reproductions are currently available, spanning the size range that Stradivarius addressed. Full size instruments are 14.5/16 (red brown), 14.1/8 (red), 14.1/8 (orange/brown), 14 (brown/yellow), and 14.1/16 (light amber).

Two instruments are available scaled down to 13.1/8 and 13.3/8, respectively, both in light amber.