Whenever we talk about violins, the name Stradivari always comes to mind. Over the centuries, questions have been asked about how violins get their unique sound. Is it the paint? Is it water? Is it the shape? Or is it perhaps the provenance? Scientists have studied violins and musicians have studied and debated the quality of sound and superiority of the instruments for centuries. Stradivarius violins are commonly acclaimed worldwide as the best violins in the world. The sound quality of Stradivari violins is of unprecedented superiority over other violins, and it is commonly believed that no one has been able to match it in the last three centuries since their maker, Antonio Stradivari, died in 1737. Antonio Stradivari is born in 1644 in Italy, where he worked in Cremona as a luthier, a term for someone who makes stringed instruments. His violins became known as Antonius Stradivarius violins, because he engraved his labels in Latin, rather than Italian. His violins have become legendary and he is known as the greatest luthier in history, living to be 93. Over the course of his career, he made over one thousand one hundred instruments, not only violins, but also other stringed instruments. Only about six hundred have survived over the centuries to the present day. There are many violins and other instruments not of his making that have been credited with his name, such as imitations and Stradivari-inspired designs, which have proven difficult in finding, authenticating, and cataloging his authentic creations. There are approximately 243 known violins. Stradivari violins in their day were unique compared to other violins with Stradivari presenting its originality in their construction, through more exact measurements...... middle of paper ......tal News and Media, 02 July 2008 . Web. 19 April 2014. "Questions and answers about Stradivarius". Stradivarius violin. A guide and curious facts. The Sound Post Ltd, 2013. Web. 19 April 2014. "Stradivarius Violin Tracker." List of Stradivarius violins. Np, nd Web. April 19, 2014. “The Violin.” Violin. Np, nd Web. 19 April 2014. .Walter, Patrick. “No 'secret' ingredients in Strad paint.” Chemistry and Industry 24 (2009): 10. Company source completed. Network. April 19, 2014.Weinreich, Gabriel. "Violins Cremona." Physics Today 63.10 (2010): 54. MAS Ultra - School edition. Network. April 19. 2014