Great Instruments 3
This third volume in The Strad’s Great Instruments series brings together the finest scholarship, research and analysis by some of the world’s leading experts on stringed instruments. Among the highlights are a detailed look at the 1741 ‘Vieuxtemps’ violin by Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, including an acoustic analysis by Joseph Curtin and an interview with its player, Anne Akiko Meyers. There’s also a rare examination of the ‘Boissier, Sarasate’, one of two Stradivari violins formerly owned by Pablo Sarasate, which rarely leaves its current home, the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid. And we examine some of the most extraordinary restoration jobs on fine instruments in history: the ‘Mara’ Stradivari cello, almost consigned to a watery grave, and the ‘Paravicini’ Stradivari, which took more than a year to restore to its former glory.
Full list of featured instruments
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Antonio Stradivari ‘Mara’ cello, 1711
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Antonio Stradivari ‘Cecil’ violin, 1724
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violin, 1732
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Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ ‘Paravicini’ violin, 1734
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Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume ‘Evangelists’ quartet, 1863
Montagnana c.1720–Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ c.1742 ‘Paderewski, Wendling’ violin (FOLDED)
(FOLDED VERSION)
This is a unique instrument with a body by Montagnana and a top plate by Guarneri 'del Gesù'. Artists such as Vilde Frang, Isabelle Faust and Augustin Dumay have unanimously praised the violin's sound, recognising its unmistakably ‘del Gesù’ character, with dark basses, great projection and a particularly warm and open E string.
'The large Venetian model combined with the distinctive ‘del Gesù’ front arching, well-preserved thickness and f-holes, offers a particularly attractive and inspiring reference model.' - Balthazar Soulier in the January 2025 issue.
***Don't miss our NEW Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of the selection here***
(FOLDED VERSION) Montagnana c.1720–Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ c.1742 ‘Paderewski, Wendling’ violin
This is a unique instrument with a body by Montagnana and a top plate by Guarneri 'del Gesù'. Artists such as Vilde Frang, Isabelle Faust and Augustin Dumay have unanimously praised the violin's sound, recognising its unmistakably ‘del Gesù’ character, with dark basses, great projection and a particularly warm and open E string.
'The large Venetian model combined with the distinctive ‘del Gesù’ front arching, well-preserved thickness and f-holes, offers a particularly attractive and inspiring reference model.' - Balthazar Soulier in the January 2025 issue.
***Don't miss our NEW Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of the selection here*** 
BUNDLE-The Best of Trade Secrets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
Returned or Flawed Posters
We have a number of rolled posters that have been returned or have minor defects, which can be obtained at a massively discounted cost. These are ideal for students or makers who do not require pristine posters to work from. Although some posters are damaged, this is usually to the sides of the posters and not across the printed images.
These posters are limited. Please contact us directly if the poster you require is not on our list: services@thestradshop.com
For our Tailored Folded Poster Bundle, click here
Our rolled posters are shipped separately from other products. One tube can hold up to 10 posters. Save on postage costs by purchasing up to 10 posters per tube today.
Great Instruments 2
***BACK IN STOCK!***
In 2011 The Strad published a 92-page collection of articles on some of the finest violins, violas and cellos to grace its pages over the previous decade. As well as examinations of historic works such as the Amati 'King', thought to be the oldest cello in existence, and Stradivari's 1713 'Huberman' violin, now played by Joshua Bell, this new collection introduces articles on double basses by Rocca, Gofriller and Gasparo da Salò. With high-quality photographs throughout, this is a must for anyone interested in the history and development of beautiful stringed instruments.
Full list of featured instruments
- c.1550 Gasparo da Salò double bass
- Mid-16th century Andrea Amati ‘King’ cello
- 1686 Francesco Rugeri violin
- 1710 Antonio Stradivari ‘Baron Rothschild, Gore-Booth’ cello
- 1713 Antonio Stradivari ‘Huberman’ violin
- c.1720 Matteo Gofriller double bass
- 1726 Antonio Stradivari ‘Saveuse’ cello
- 1743 Giuseppe Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ ‘Brusilow’ violin
- 1767 José Contreras violin
- 1774 Giovanni Battista Guadagnini ‘Salabue’, ‘Berta’ violin
- c.1851 Giuseppe Rocca double bass
- 1865 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume cello
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
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.
Carlo Bergonzi ‘Salabue, Martzy’ violin 1733 poster
This stunning instrument, still in immaculate condition, bears all the hallmarks of the luthier Carlo Bergonzi, who moved into Antonio Stradivari's workshop following the latter's death. The famed instrument collector Count Cozio di Salabue called it 'my largest and most beautiful Bergonzi'. It was later used as the principal performing instrument of Hungarian virtuoso Johanna Martzy (1924–79).
'The f-holes of the ‘Salabue, Martzy’ are bold and distinctive. In concept, they derive from a Stradivari model but the stems are more angled and the wings are broader' - Jason Price in the July 2024 edition of The Strad.
***Product not included in any current discount offers***
Our rolled posters are shipped separately from other products. One tube can hold up to 10 posters. Save on postage costs by purchasing up to 10 posters per tube today.
***Don't miss our NEW Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of the selection here***
Carlo Bergonzi ‘Salabue, Martzy’ violin 1733 poster – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
This stunning instrument, still in immaculate condition, bears all the hallmarks of the luthier Carlo Bergonzi, who moved into Antonio Stradivari's workshop following the latter's death. The famed instrument collector Count Cozio di Salabue called it 'my largest and most beautiful Bergonzi'. It was later used as the principal performing instrument of Hungarian virtuoso Johanna Martzy (1924–79).
'The f-holes of the ‘Salabue, Martzy’ are bold and distinctive. In concept, they derive from a Stradivari model but the stems are more angled and the wings are broader' - Jason Price in the July 2024 edition of The Strad.
***Product not included in any current discount offers***
***Don't miss our NEW Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of the selection here***
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
Folded Poster Tailored Bundle
FOLDED VERSIONS
Choose any two or more of The Strad's folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each.
Watch a video of the selection here
Antonio Stradivari ‘Boissier, Sarasate’ violin 1713 poster
Made during Antonio's Stradivari's so-called 'golden period', the 1713 'Boissier, Sarasate' is in an excellent state of preservation. Housed in the museum of the Madrid Royal Conservatoire, it has rarely been played since it was left to the music school by its last owner, the Spanish virtuoso Pablo Sarasate. This poster includes full outlines and measurements taken from a state-of-the-art 3D scan of the instrument.
'The surface retains a very good amount of varnish. It is remarkable that it has not been ‘protected’ with a layer of French polish, making it ever more outstanding and appreciated in today’s shop standards. The colour of the varnish is a light reddish-brown over Stradivari’s wonderful golden ground.' – Roberto Jardón Rico in the January 2024 issue of The StradOur posters are shipped separately from other products. One tube can hold up to 10 posters. Save on postage costs by purchasing up to 10 posters per tube today.
***Don't miss our NEW Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of the selection here***
Antonio Stradivari ‘Boissier, Sarasate’ Violin 1713 poster – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
Made during Antonio's Stradivari's so-called 'golden period', the 1713 'Boissier, Sarasate' is in an excellent state of preservation. Housed in the museum of the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid, it has rarely been played since it was left to the conservatoire by its last owner, the Spanish virtuoso Pablo Sarasate. This poster includes full outlines and measurements taken from a state-of-the-art 3D scan of the instrument.
'The surface retains a very good amount of varnish. It is remarkable that it has not been ‘protected’ with a layer of French polish, making it ever more outstanding and appreciated in today’s shop standards. The colour of the varnish is a light reddish-brown over Stradivari’s wonderful golden ground.' – Roberto Jardón Rico in the January 2024 issue of The Strad
***Don't miss our NEW Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of the selection here***
‘De Munck’ Stradivari cello 1730 poster
This well-presented cello played by Emanuel Feuermann and Steven Isserlis is striking for the originality that created a new cello form. It is currently on loan to Danjulo Ishizaka. Includes full measurements.
'The marvellous "de Munck" is striking in the originality of its slender form. The dominant feature is the large centre bouts, which curve in as deeply as those of the larger B form and are in fact slightly longer' – John Dilworth in the June 2000 issue of The Strad
Our posters are shipped separately from other products. One tube can hold up to 10 posters. Save on postage costs by purchasing up to 10 posters per tube today.
***Don't miss our NEW Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of the selection here***
Antonio Stradivari ‘King Carlos IV’ violin 1709 poster
The ‘King Carlos IV’ is one of the few instruments remaining from the collection of the Spanish king, who ruled from 1788 to 1808. Made during Stradivari’s ‘golden period’, it is one of the rare examples that is so well preserved that its sound is seldom matched by other violins of the era. The maple back has deep, wide flames descending slightly, which shimmer like water in the light. The scroll is incredibly round and bold, displaying an ultimate strength in making.
Florian Leonhard examines its history and present condition in The Strad magazine July 2023
Antonio Stradivari ‘King Carlos IV’ violin 1709 poster – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
The ‘King Carlos IV’ is one of the few instruments remaining from the collection of the Spanish king, who ruled from 1788 to 1808. Made during Stradivari’s ‘golden period’, it is one of the rare examples that is so well preserved that its sound is seldom matched by other violins of the era. The maple back has deep, wide flames descending slightly, which shimmer like water in the light. The scroll is incredibly round and bold, displaying an ultimate strength in making.
Florian Leonhard examines its history and present condition in The Strad magazine July 2023
BUNDLE – The Best of Trade Secrets 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Antonio Stradivari ‘Harrison’ violin 1693 poster
A perfect example of Stradivari's Long Pattern, the 'Harrison' was for many years the principal performing instrument of Kyung Wha Chung. It is now part of the collection of the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, US.
Read more in The StradOur posters are shipped separately from other products. One tube can hold up to 10 posters. Save on postage costs by purchasing up to 10 posters per tube today.
***Don't miss our NEW Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of the selection here***
Antonio Stradivari ‘Harrison’ violin 1693 poster – FOLDED VERSION
FOLDED VERSION
A perfect example of Stradivari's Long Pattern, the 'Harrison' was for many years the principal performing instrument of Kyung Wha Chung. It is now part of the collection of the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, US.
Read more in The Strad
***Don't miss our NEW Folded Poster Tailored Bundle. Choose any two or more of The Strad’s folded posters and pay just £9.99 for each. Watch a video of the selection here*** 
The Best of Trade Secrets 5
The Best of Trade Secrets 4
