![Scientists are trying to uncover what makes Stradivarius violins special – but are they wasting their time? Scientists are trying to uncover what makes Stradivarius violins special – but are they wasting their time?](https://images.theconversation.com/files/150750/original/image-20161219-24274-ogqjcd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1200&h=1200.0&fit=crop)
Scientists are trying to uncover what makes Stradivarius violins special – but are they wasting their time?
![Classical music: See what goes into making a Stradivarius violin great, from the special Italian spruce trees to the master violin-makers who come to Cremona, Italy from around the world. But are Classical music: See what goes into making a Stradivarius violin great, from the special Italian spruce trees to the master violin-makers who come to Cremona, Italy from around the world. But are](https://welltempered.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/antonio-stradivari.jpg)
Classical music: See what goes into making a Stradivarius violin great, from the special Italian spruce trees to the master violin-makers who come to Cremona, Italy from around the world. But are
Violin Makers: Nicolò Amati (1596–1684) and Antonio Stradivari (1644–1737) | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
![A Stradivarius "Ex-Nachez" made in the year 1716 by famed Italian violin maker Antonio Stradivari is pictured at Sotheby's in Hamburg October 21, 2003. The instrument named after its previous owner Hungarian A Stradivarius "Ex-Nachez" made in the year 1716 by famed Italian violin maker Antonio Stradivari is pictured at Sotheby's in Hamburg October 21, 2003. The instrument named after its previous owner Hungarian](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D3D7R6/a-stradivarius-ex-nachez-made-in-the-year-1716-by-famed-italian-violin-maker-antonio-stradivari-is-pictured-at-sothebys-in-hamburg-october-21-2003-the-instrument-named-after-its-previous-owner-hungarian-violonist-tivadar-nachez-1859-1930-will-go-on-auction-at-sothebys-in-london-on-november-11-2003-the-violin-is-expected-to-come-under-the-hammer-at-a-price-of-between-600000-and-800000-pounds-1000000-and-1340000-2D3D7R6.jpg)