Finally I found it , a video explaining Why the freak Strad so Expensive that is not having nerds saying things to camera for 30 minutes

Last Friday, my Cello teacher played something on my Cello, and said "Wow, this Cello sounds really good. Didn't you say it was extremely cheap?" I said "Yes it sound great if someone who can actually play, plays it." I need to practice more.

I baught a cello 600 dollars made in Bolgaria. After hearing the wonderful tone, I was amazed at those persons back in those centuries how ingenious they were to create a sound as such. I am mesmerized. They were ahead of their time. When playing both my cello and fiddle, I strangely connect with those in centuries past. I even wonder about their orchestra's sound back then.

Hi olaf, i have read about many of the blind tests with stradivarius and guarnerius violins, but didn't catch the names of the modern makers whose violins won the comp. Secondly, next time you make a violin could you ask twoset (or Ray Chan) to perform on it so we are able to hear the full breadth of a modern Australian luther's violin?

As a fellow luthier, I never tire of videos like these. I like hearing other luthiers/dealers/historians' opinions and stories about the great Antonio Stradivari!

Well done researched history about the Strad. My daughter and I flew in New Mexico USA and went to Robertson & Sons violin shop to purchase a violin for my daughter. Their Strad is in the volt and scared to try it!

Lovely video Olaf, would really love another one talking about the Guarneri family ( obviously especially Giuseppe “Del Gesú”).

My grandfather was from Germany where he apprenticed with a violin maker. He came to America in 1916 and made violins for a time. His violins had a label inside which had the date it was made and his name Ferdinand Wulf and that it was a design by Stradivarias.

I had the pleasure of visiting Stefano Gironi in his central Cremona violin workshop a while ago - he's one of the direct descendants (by teaching - teacher to student, over the generations) of the Amati / Stradivarius heritage. What a gentleman! He took quite a bit of time showing me his construction techniques and patterns, discussed woods and finishes, and played some of his instruments. Wonderful experience! While living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, an acquaintance was Scott Tribbey, who has his own violin workshop. Scott taught me a lot about violins; I guess I asked good questions when visiting Stefano Gironi!

Thanks, Olaf. Great hearing from you. Love the history you shared today.

Very informative and enlightening! Thank you so much for sharing all this wonderful information!

Hellow Olaf and Stradivardiy..good morning for you ..!!

Hi, Olaf! Love your content, love your humour. Thanks for your insight and knowledge, can't wait for the next video! Liebe Grüße aus Linz/Österreich.

I read an interview of Jascha Heifetz. He said that he could play most violins and the audience would not tell the difference. He could tell the difference in his by the ease of playing and how well it filled the hall.

Thanks for your insightful narrative, especially about putting value on Stradivarius violins. I've only recently come to your channel and I find it pleasingly educational. And, I enjoy your style.

Very very good documentary about the Stradivarius legend. I appreciate your knowledge and love of the instrument's history and its legendary makers.

That skit In the beggining is gold lol 😆. As a Canadian, it's interesting to hear someone with an Australian accent imitate someone with an Italian accent

This exposition makes me realise why I would want to give the best Stradivarius violin known to exist: to Teo Gertler (assuming I happened to be that obscenely wealthy, to be be able to buy it in the first place) I wouldn't mind if he never even used it in a public perfomance, for fear of it being damaged or stolen. The best musical compositions, combined with a supremely talented virtuoso player are far more important than the inanimate instrument that he, or she, currently has access to.

I know the old master builders did amazing work but it would really surprise me if hundreds of years of violin making didn't lead to any basic improvements in the instrument! I'm not surprised the strads don't stand out in blind tests

Very entertaining and informative! Your skits are the best - hilarious!

I have heard more than one account of a great musician being the reason an instrument sounded so superior. One violinist supposedly left his Strad in a cab and it was lost forever but after some time that player realized that whatever instrument he played, it would sound like him!

Great video Olaf. Thank you.

I think that violins are like any other type of art. Someone asking "why Picasso's paintings are so expensive" would probably get to the same theory as you did, or something similar. I think it's partially correct, but we shouldn't underestimate the fact that art (including violins) can be a business in itself. It's a less romantic theory, but I think this is really the reason why people would spend millions to buy them. Rich people are always finding new ways to save and/or hide money from taxes or other kind of control. I'd like to believe the romantic theories, but I'm afraid this ideal is mainly a cover for the darker reality of art business. It's hard to put a price on any object, let alone artistic objects. Even though the question on the title is what everyone ask themselves, I think a more accurate question would be "why do rich people spend millions on Strads (or any other kind of art)?". Not sure how many of the actual owners (not talking about the trustees) have the necessary knowledge to actually appreciate the craftsmanship, the sound and the history behind these beautiful pieces of art... Anyway, love your videos! Always very instructional, with a nice touch of comedy, thank you for sharing!

Just fantastic!!!!!! Thank you so much for this video. You Rock.

Such interesting comments. As a bassoonist it is regularly string players that blindly say "your instrument makes a great sound". it is always the player that makes the biggest mark in the sound. As a percussionist, the importance of the player on the sound is even more important - as hard as that is to believe.

I have all the time in the world for this, this is amazing!!!

Very nicely explained, thanks

Love the history and insights. Not being a musician, I always thought that Stadivarius violins had superior sound, that is why they were so expensive. I would attribute that to marketing now. Thanks, and keep up that great work. 🎻🎼🎵🎶

Excellent video. Your explanation makes sense because this is how all assets become valuable. It's all about the confidence of the buyer and confidence in the product that many times is passed down through time.

wow this is really interesting. thank you Olaf

Well done. And quite interesting.

Thank you, very nice information

Very interesting perspective! I read somwhere that during baroque times that not all Stradavarius violins were necessarily regarded highly. Of course, very few of his "baroque violins" survived modifications. I also think I read one article that some people of his day felt some of his violins were too bright in their tone. (Favoring the Amati family's instruments). (Can't remember the source.) I was also wondering whether you think his violins are more successful as modern instruments? (I wonder if a couple of Strads have ever been retrofitted back to baroque form for a couple of museums?) There is the Messiah at Oxford which was only slightly modified by Vuillame. I remember seeing his one of his baroque guitars in the Victoria & Albert museum in London. (I think there are two that survive?) Would appreciate your feedback! William, Calgary, AB, Canada

I believe your opinion regarding Stradivarius being so costly, the legend and the famous players all seem to secure the place in history of the man and his handy work for all time. I appreciate your work and hearing what you shared on this matter, well do.

Great video Olaf, I am a violinist and a huge fan of your work. Can you make a video talking about Guarneri Del Gésu? Personally I prefer the Guarneri model, and people that are not musicians only know the name of Stradivarius. I think this is a question like football, who is the best Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo :D By the way, I am portuguese, and here we have the privilege to have one very good and the best portuguese violin luthier Antonio Capela. Thank you very much once again for your work, one day I hope I can go to Australia and visit your atelier :)

Olaf, i've been watching you videos and i learn a lot, do you have any tip of software to analyze audio from a violin an check the sound quality of it? Any advice, i heard that there are techniques to use a spectrum with Audacity, but i don't even know where to start.

I find it quite amazing that there are instruments of this age. I mean how long does glue last normally? It's impressive. It seems like everything in time wears out. Obviously, some of these old instruments have needed repairs but I guess glue is quite an amazing substance.

I'm a Guarnieri devotee, but it's how well an instrument is played that makes the difference. I'd be happy to play both and make a final determination ☺️

Thank you Olaf for your historical of the best violin maker in the world Antonius Stradivarius it's very rich and important history to tell. So I would like to know more about each violin he made with full details of each with their photos if possible. I'm so interesting of the Antonius Stradivarius violin. Thank you

What a great analysis. Stradivarius may have a good business man, and he may have been wealthy. Van Goh I believe was not wealthy. A former colleague was in Washington, D.C., and had the chance to play a Stradivarius cello held by either the Smithsonian or Library of Congress. The instrument was part of a string quartet of Stradivarius instruments. Those instruments were used by the Julliard String Quartet for their recordings. The institution knew that the instruments needed to be played. A side note: my favorite violinist was Isaac Stern who, I believe, played a Guarneri. I learn much from your videos. Thank you.

Great video as usual. I do not play the violin but I really enjoy all your videos Olaf. I play the electric guitar though and in the electric guitar world, the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard also known as the 59 burst are the holy grail of electric guitars. Like the Stradivarius, they were only made for a short time from 1958-1960. Not many in good condition are around and most important it is being played by a lot of legendary guitar players like Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and others. And not all 1959 Les Paul sounds good too. Some are extremely average, a new 1959 reissue Gibson Les Paul sounds better and some real 1959 Les Pauls were amazing. Your video is about the Stradivarius violin but it is something I can really relate too even though I am a guitar player...

my left ear is happy

Thank you for the history lesson, Olaf, your theory makes a lot of sense. I like what the gentleman said when he held his violin to his ear, "I don't hear anything"! The real magic is in the hands of the musician. Of course, the quality of the instruments is important, but a master violinist can make an average instrument sound amazing, and an average violinist can make an amazing instrument sound average. Never discount the player, and their ability to play in tune with great dynamics and emotion. While I am a violinist, I've primarily been a guitarist for over fifty years. I've seen the phenomenon that I mentioned above, but with guitarists. I know guys who can make even the least expensive guitars sound great, and make the more expensive (and better quality) guitars sound absolutely drop dead amazing. On the flip side, I've known average players who have expensive high quality instruments, and they make them sound, well.....average. I'd have to say that a great deal of the "magic" that we hear from a particular player, is in their hands and fingers. I've observed the phenomenon time and time again over the years. Once we shed the hype and expectations of the instrument, and objectively listen to the "player", the attributes of the instrument will either lift the player even higher, or hinder their ability to soar with the eagles. Great video, Olaf, I've been a subscriber for a couple of years now, and I enjoy your content very much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us on this, and so many other topics.

A cellist friend of mine studied under Bernard Greenhouse, who owned the Stradivarius cello Countess of Stanlein, aka the Paganini Strad. She seemed to enjoy playing it even tho it was too big for her.

Hello Olaf from Chicago, Illinois !

Hi Olaf, I know you from Twoset and i have to say I always enjoy it when you appear in their videos I have a kind of odd question: Is there a way that you have german ancestors? The tone of your voice and its rhythm somehow give me the feeling that there is some german blood in you :D I know it is a kind of weird question, but I am curious since the first time I saw you with Bret and Eddy. Greetings from germany :)

Very interesting Olaf; there are some fairly inexpensive instruments that sound and play remarkable in the hands of a good player. I think the cost of the story is sometimes bordering on insanity when you really think about it. 🎻🥳

You Instrument is your voice. Yes it is! I build my own violin and now i learning to play. So I have realy my voice. :)

Nice video and good explanations and suggestions from an expert. One flaw is that the audio is just on the left side of the stereo - fix your setup... Also few notes: While Stradivarius violins may not be "Better" than other very-good violins (modern ones) and while a master violinist usually controls much of how the violin sounds -- still -- Some Stradivari have a unique, identifiable sound (hard to tell if that's the instrument or the player) that "Jump out of the record" and make listeners experience the thrill of identifying the specific instrument (I have several recordings at home of the "Soil" Stradivarius by Itzhak Perlman and also previous violinists, and there IS something. there IS "soil" (rasping velvety, brownish) sound to it. That may also account for their price - they DO have unique "personality". Of course that isn't a good point for a musical instrument which is expected to by just the delivery tool for the music, and not "paint it" with its own attributes -- still... it makes an impression. Also - never forget - these violins are pieces of wood that play well after 300 years!!!! like.... do you have a 100 years old wooden wardrobe that still opens and closes well? It IS remarkable to build something of wood and glue and varnish - that will keep its attributes and performance for so long. Isn't it? only on that basis - (longevity and persistent behavior) their price will rise.

best perspective ever ! makes total sense

I love the view of that one violin in the background, hanging on the very left of the row, that seems to have not been moved for a very long time..... Some dust seems to have built up....🤣

On a talk show in the USA Itzhak Perlman opined that Strads became coveted around 1800 because they seemed to respond best to the various surgeries that were being done at that time to older instruments in pursuit of brighter, louder sound. He noted that very few Strads retain their original neck and fingerboard and that some "Strads" have only an original front or back plate that survives, the rest all being later replacements. Another opinion I've heard is that the famous maker instruments that reside in museums are mostly ones that players have tried and found to be uninteresting.

good explanation, now we know what the strads is about

I do not know why the KZfaq algorithm gods recommended your channel, as I have only held a violin once, and although I was what I would consider an above average guitar player at one point, due to a disability I have not done much more than strum a guitar in over a decade. Anywho, I enjoyed this video to a slightly irrational degree, so thank you for making it, and I am so pleased to have stumbled across it. 😄🙏

You said it: Stradivarius was a businessman, he saw the opportunity to sell it to expert violinists, they played it like gods and that made the Stradivarius violin famous afterwards. I think it's like selling perfume. It's not the same to advertise a perfume with a person passing by on the street as it is to advertise it with David Beckham. It was probably the advertising. As an architect, I could say that it could have been the type of wood, the drying, maybe the internal porosity that generates different sounds and much more technicalities. But it's obvious that when the golden age of Stradivarius passed, new instruments came along and it declined. The story seems very obvious and the rest is history. Nowadays for the rich it is a possession for the history and the propaganda than the instrument itself, that's why this instrument went to museums. It is to preserve the mystery so that nobody studies it. That man in this day and age would still be a millionaire because of the great pro-publicity he did. A truly ingenious carpenter and all those who keep his secret. It cannot be that in this century and with the technology we have, there is a mystery. You don't have to be a great thinker to realise that. You made a great deduction. Very good video.

Excellent video. I played the violin for many years before realizing guitars got the girls, so love to hear this explanation.

12:19 The inflation from the 90s to today is ~135%. So 5m of the 90s is ~12m in 2023. 13:07 As you can see the price didn't change that much.

14:50 - Sam Zyg! One of the greatest makers alive, yes. And Yael Rosenblum [working out of Turin] particularly for violas (in my opinion!)

What is your opinion of Sacconi & his use of potassium silicate theory? I did try it on my first violin.

HI Olaf , What do you think about Joan Baptist Schweizer's violins, I own one from 1813.

I'm a saxophone player, but this reminds me of the legend around Selmer Mark VI saxophones. The legend is that they are the best, but professionals like Jay Metcalf has played hundreds and say's not many are good and play in tune.

Olaf, Yes, Provenance. There are so many accomplishes Violinist playing literally thousands upon thousands of excellent sounding instruments, it is obvious that most successful Luthiers know how to create beautifully sounding instruments. Not just Violins, but a plethora of other members of the String family. you mentioned a modern living Luthier whose violins have sold for over 100K and that they produce a beautiful sound with ease. I believe it's also the fact that some of the greatest musicians in the world have these historic instruments which adds a "mystique" to their playing which is subjective, not objective. Thank you, Frederick "Rik" Spector

Also, that bit where you said "they were only being played by the best violinists in the world." I feel the same way about Steinway pianos.

The average life expectancy in the 17th century was actually not too much lesser than ours today once you reached 5 years old. If you exclude infant deaths and death from childbirth, then their life expectancy in Europe was almost the same as ours is today.

Olaf, 2 questions: 1. If Strads aren't better than modern instruments, do you think more players who play Strads will decide to switch like Chad did? Will they have to because of rising prices? 2. Do you think the quality of an instrument's sound deteriorates with age (e.g. the wood aging/warping/breaking down) or is it the cumulative repairs and maintenance over the years that affects it? Thanks Olaf! Keep making the videos! Love learning from all your experience! Definitely want to see more of you making your own violins!

Id say it’s like with oldtimers. They aren’t the fastest, they aren’t the safest or most comfortable. But they are an outstanding part of the history and still worth it.

Very interesting. Guess I'll never own a Strat unless I find one in a yard/garage sale! (-:

like Ferrari v Lambo... I prefer del Gesu over Strad

I think one of the funny things about Musicians and Instruments, is just like Makers and their Tools. A good Maker can do great things with any tool, but better tools let them make even better things. Same thing for Musicians and their Instruments

Thank you very much for this interesting Information, Olaf!! Please can you answer this question: You Did an nice Interview with Nemanja Radulovic a few years ago. Does Nemanja play an Unknown Violin or a Vuillaume? I got different informations about it. 🎻🌸

Could you try to fix the audio of this video? It's so good and informative, but it was a pain to listen on only one ear :(

The issue of provenance cannot be ignored. In the case of Stradivarius there is his own provenance as a great builder and then the provenance of a great violin artist playing a Stradivarius.

The sound is all that matters. Isn't that the only claim. But you are right that newer violins can outperform in many cases.

Could you talk sometime about the Guarnieri story?

Before this video I had always assumed there were on the order of 10-20 real Stradivarius violins just because of the reverence and price

Antonio Stradivari only used alpine spruce from paneveggio ancient forest in the dolomite mountains in norway he was an apprentice of grandson Nicola Amati with apprentice Andrea Guarneri

In the 60s as a junior in high school I spent almost 100% of my summer earnings, $400, for a top of the line trumpet which I still own. That is the equivalent of about $4000 today. What quality of violin could be purchased for that today, including someone like you assuring it is 100%?

Can you please make a video on Vuillaume the 'baker'

Hmm all the shots in the shop have left audio channel only.

Hey olaf! the audio channel in this video is only on the left.

Hi Olaf, I have 2 old violins that I can’t fix cos the necks pull down when I tighten the strings and they have both cracked the top plates near the neck block. Do I need to make two new, stronger fronts to stop this happening, has it happened to any of yours ever?

@Ask Olaf the Violinmaker, I think it's difficult in todays world to compare the sound between a Stradivarius/Stradivari and a modern violin, because most violins would probably use modern types of strings. If there was a Stradivari still with strings made in the years Stradivarius lived in playable condition I wonder if the comparison would be a lot further apart than they are. I believe the difference in strings made in the 20th and 21st centuries (1900's & 2000's) to those made in Stradivarius' days have changed the sound somewhat. This could explain why violins made in the last 100 sound much like Stradivaris......because Stradivaris are using odern day strings.

Other than the fact that the old makers may have used very old, very seasoned and ultra dense wood that was probably centuries old growing in very cold weather, exposed to salts and water and fungi, all sorts of chemicals in the varnish, and all that, all Strads and Del Gesus started as Baroque violins and have had pretty much everything upgraded on them. Especially the bow, which makes much more of a tonal difference than even an old vs new violin. The influence of the quality of the bow is immediately obvious, even to an untrained ear. The real secret is in plain sight -- keep playing great music on violins for decades and centuries, and the violins just open up and keep getting better and better at resonance. Even my student violin sounds totally way above its actual dirt cheap price point after 20 years of playing, aging, strings and bridge and soundpost upgrades. So imagine how good many modern violins will be in 100 years. Then the modern violins - their time will come.

there are many outstanding luthiers, not just Stradivarius: I am an average person with a pretty good violin from Markneukirchen, early 20th century....

You didn't mention that Mr. S built all of his instruments with necks that were standard in his time, they went out of style by the early 1800s. The old neck was more difficult to play than the new one. In order to sell the old violins, other people changed the necks to the new, preferred, style.

I always found it an interesting cosmic coincidence that he and Antonio de Torres, who was possibly the most famous maker of classical guitars and codified the classical guitar as we know it, share the same first name

Love you videos!! 🌹 However, his name was Stradivari

I know next to nothing about violins, limited to pulling the bow across the strings a few times. I do know about a few other subjects such as automobiles. It is common for people to believe Rolls Royce to be the pinnacle of excellence. Yes, the fit and finish is excellent, but a more reliable auto can be purchased for a small fraction of the price.

Juan from Montreal

My friend, Saul Cornel, who was a luthier and repaired Strads and Guaraneris et cetera told me that most of these violins have little original wood left but over the centuries have been repaid by high quality luthiers. Also the bow is the most important element of making music.

"You don't need to hold a 50 million dollar violin in your hand to enjoy playing the violin". Whew! Good to know!

I always preferred the voice of Guarneris (and modern instruments modeled after those). Go figure

IMMO some Guarnieri del Gesù sounds more interesting than many Stradivarius.

Is there another known brand of violin from that time to compare to?

earthquakes can affect tree ring formation. I wonder whether Stradavarius picked up on that?

So Eddy in a dress now has competition?! Lol. You could exchange wigs too! Joking aside, this is a v informative vid, Olaf. Violins need to be played though, so it's sad to think of all those hidden away in museums and the like, unloved...

What is mis in the story is that as far as I know Stradivarius also made some innovations in the violin's design and shape. I think you would call it the mesur.

Acoustic guitars come in quite a range of sizes and to my ear the bigger the guitar body the richer, warmer and more expensive it sounds. Is there a similar difference for violins?

I’m learning guitar (slowly ) . The violin is definitely not a sound that rings my bell ,but this connection to sound we all share is very well expressed in this video of peoples past and present. Big thanks from a to be subscriber. Please keep the Tube volume up. Off to practice more….

I have a strad. I know it is genuine because it says so on the printed label