Great Instruments
Every generation of violin makers has sought to analyse and understand the classic forms, and, for the past 122 years, the violin world's leading experts have assessed the latest research into the finest instruments in the pages of The Strad. Great Instruments includes 15 authoritative and beautifully illustrated articles from the past ten years, which provide unique insights into some of the world's most celebrated stringed instruments.
Full list of featured instruments
- c.1566 Andrea Amati Violin
- c.1600 Brothers Amati Cello
- 1618 Henry Jaye Viol
- c.1650 Jacob Stainer Tenor viola
- 1709 Antonio Stradivari 'Viotti' violin
- 1715 Antonio Stradivari 'Titian' violin
- 1716 Antonio Stradivari 'Messiah' violin
- 1717 Domenico Montagnana Violin
- 1717 Pietro Giacomo Rogeri Cello
- 1721 Antonio Stradivari 'Kruse' violin
- 1735 Guarneri 'del Gesu' 'Plowden' violin
- 1736 Carlo Bergonzi Violin
- 1736 Guarneri 'del Gesu 'Cessole', 'Teja-Ferni'
- 1740 Domenico Montagnana Cello
- 1808 Niclas Lupot Violin
Masterclass Volume 1: Violin Concertos
The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written. Always one of our most popular sections, Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists, chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s. Now, in association with publisher G. Henle Verlag, The Strad is releasing the best of its Masterclasses as a bespoke anthology series.
The Strad Magazine Archive – III: 2005 to 2009
In response to reader requests, The Strad is offering customers the chance to purchase print magazines from its archives, while stocks last. A very limited number of copies are available. Once they are gone, they are gone! This could be your last chance to possess these magazines in hard copy.
These Pre-2010 issues are in good condition, with occasional damages consistent with their age. We will be gradually adding more issues, so if you can't find what you're looking for, do contact us at services@thestrad.com to ask.
Please note that these are unpackaged and the supplements or inserts that are indicated on the covers may not be included.
Click on the dropdown menu to find out whether we have the issue you require in stock.
These issues have recently been unearthed and are being made available in good condition. Please contact us if you require more information about the issue in which you are interested.
The Strad Magazine Archive – II: 2010 to 2014
The Strad Magazine Archive – I: 2015 to 2019
The Best of Trade Secrets 6
The April 2005 edition of The Strad saw the first in a new regular section: Trade Secrets, in which violin and bow makers would share the technical tips and tricks that they’d worked out for themselves and wanted to share with their peers. Almost two decades later, Trade Secrets is still a mainstay of the magazine, having featured over 200 fully illustrated parts of the making process penned by more than 140 makers around the world. This latest collection brings together 35 of the most recent articles, drawn from the magazine’s pages since the pandemic year of 2020.
Violin Bundle – Violin Works
*SAVE OVER 25%*
For string players and teachers, The Strad's Masterclass and Technique sections are a treasure trove of knowledge, information and playing advice. Some of the world's best-known teachers and soloists have given their top tips on how to get the best out of your instrument, and perform some of the greatest works in the repertoire.
Violin Bundle – Violin Concertos
**Â SAVE OVER 25% **
For string players and teachers, The Strad's Masterclass and Technique sections are a treasure trove of knowledge, information and playing advice. Some of the world's best-known teachers and soloists have given their top tips on how to get the best out of your instrument, and perform some of the greatest works in the repertoire.
Cello Bundle
The Strad Digital Subscription
Included in your digital subscription:
- Dedicated sections for luthiers, players and teachers
- Every new monthly magazine as a digital edition
- Unlimited access to all premium online content, written by our editorial team and expert contributors
- Access to over 140 issues giving you a wealth of archived content
- Digital special supplements including Accessories, Degrees and String Courses
- Access from anywhere on your devices
The Strad Print and Digital Subscription Package
SUBSCRIBE today from £5.99 a month
- Dedicated sections for luthiers, players and teachers
- Every new monthly magazine delivered to you and also available online as a digital edition
- Unlimited access to all premium online content, written by our editorial team and expert contributors
- Access to over 140 digital magazines giving you a wealth of archived content
- Two detailed instrument posters a year – Includes measurements and thickness maps (posters usually retail at £19.95 each)
- The Strad Directory: the essential annual guide for the string music industry, with global listings for businesses, artisans and organisations (usually retails at £19.95)
The Strad Directory 2025
Updated and expanded for 2025, the latest edition of The Strad Directory is as indispensable as ever, remaining an essential and ever-popular resource for the string world. It provides you with everything you need to fulfil your stringed instrument needs.
If you would like your business or organisation to be included in The Strad's Directory online and in print, please complete the information here and we will be in touch.
The Best of Technique
Violin Virtuosos: From Paganini to the 21st Century by Henry Roth
Renowned critic Henry Roth brings his formidable knowledge and enthusiasm to bear on some of the greatest violinists in history. Paganini, Thibaud and Huberman rub shoulders with the likes of Isaac Stern and Itzhak Perlman in his comprehensive survey, which also provides an unusual history of the instrument itself. Paperback. 392pp.
California Classics Books; First Printing edition (March 1997)
BUNDLE – In Focus and In Focus 2
The In Focus anthologies brings together many of the world’s most fascinating stringed instruments, with commentaries by today’s top instrument experts.
Both books feature exceptional high-quality photographs for every featured instrument – front, back and scroll – and will provide inspiration for today’s makers and anyone who enjoys the beauty and variety of stringed instruments.
This bundle includes:
- In Focus (with new limited edition cover)
- In Focus 2
December 2025
Johan Dalene talks about his latest album and we examine how Stradivari’s early violin patterns developed. There’s a look at creative health for musicians and anniversary tributes to Amaryllis Fleming and Simone Fernando Sacconi. Plus Sol Gabetta’s Sentimental Work.
Read more in The Strad
November 2025
In an American-themed issue. we talk to legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman for his 80th birthday and examine Paul Hindemith’s years Stateside. There’s an interview with the Calidore Quartet and a look at the US bow makers of the 1920s. Plus a Brahms Masterclass and violinist Melissa White’s Life Lessons.
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October 2025
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein talks about her new project Fragments and we examine the Tieffenbrucker family of luthiers. There’s a look at the Carnatic violin tradition of South India and an exploration of Biber’s Mystery Sonatas. Plus a Dvořák Masterclass and a Technique article on pizzicato.
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September 2025
We talk to violist Tabea Zimmermann and report on an innovative adult strings camp in Denver. There’s a look at the the history of lutherie in Berlin and a tribute to the late double bassist Gary Karr. Plus an Ysaÿe Masterclass and Thomas Demenga’s Sentimental Work
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August 2025
We talk to South African cellist and composer Abel Selaocoe and mark the 150th anniversary of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s birth. There’s a look at a project to train young luthiers in Latin America, and we investigate the resources for players hit by injury. Plus bassist Joseph Conyers’ Life Lessons and a Beethoven Masterclass with Kristin Lee.
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July 2025
We examine the 1730 ‘Farina’ cello by Montagnana, and pay tribute to instrument expert Charles Beare, who died in April. There’s a look at adventurous US string quartets and an interview with British violinist–composer Adam Summerhayes. Plus a Dvořák Masterclass with Camden Shaw of the Dover Quartet.
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June 2025
We celebrate 50 years of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the 90th birthday of composer Terry Riley. There’s a look at 18th-century instrumental innovations, while Tanja Tetzlaff hands on her Life Lessons. Plus Baiba Skride’s Sentimental Work and our annual Accessories brochure.
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May 2025
US violinist Philippe Quint discusses his new album and we examine the 1732 ‘Baron d’Erlanger’ violin by Guarneri ‘del Gesù’. There’s a look at string trios and the life of George Enescu, and Alina Ibragimova reveals her Sentimental Work. Plus a Mozart Masterclass with Tobias Feldmann.
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April 2025
We talk to violinist Arabella Steinbacher and investigate the work of Viennese luthier Franz Geissenhof and the makers of Markneukirchen. There’s a look at concert music written by film composers, and we ask top string players for the best advice they’ve ever had. Plus a Saint-Saëns Masterclass and Frank Peter Zimmermann’s Sentimental Work.
Read more in The Strad
