So how about a replica? Seems cheap right? Well, actually scientists at Università degli Studi di Pavia in Italy have stripped down to bare basics to determine why Antonio Stradivari was considered the best of the best.
"This paper focuses on the characterization of the materials of a violin top plate made by Antonio Stradivari (17th century), with different diagnostic techniques and with an integrated and non-destructive analytical methodology to study surface coatings and decorations. The UV-induced visible fluorescence, optical digital microscopy, ED-XRF associated with micro-FTIR spectroscopy analysis, and dendrochronology were performed. The investigations were aimed to identify the presence of original varnish layers and to characterize the composition of the decorations, either the inlaid purflings or the composite false-inlay strip between them. Several results were achieved: (i) evidence of the absence of varnish layers on the surface as a result of extended and inappropriate restoring; (ii) identification of the dye used for the black layers of the purflings; (iii) characterization of the black matrix and the white elements of the decoration. Furthermore, a dendrochronological dating was performed. A copy of the top plate was realized with materials similar to those identified on the Stradivari original; the same analyses performed on the original model were carried out on the same areas of the copy."
During their time of investigation, scientists look at every single pat of the instrument(s) to determine materials, coatings, varnishes, construction and technique. Here is a snippet of what they concluded:
"Our investigations have provided several important insights about the manufacturing techniques of Antonio Stradivari and allowed us to hypothesize about the recipes used by this violin master, or by his suppliers, to decorate his instruments. These findings represent an important step in the study of the materials used by violin makers during the second half of the 17th century in Northern Italy."
Reading a piece from another featured article, it makes sense that "many experts believe Stradivari was actually aided by climate change. During an event from 1645 to 1715, known as the Little Ice Age, Central Europe experienced long winters and cool summers that caused trees in the region to grow more slowly and uniformly than usual. This pattern of tree growth is thought to be ideal for violin making." (http://goo.gl/99ebr)
Do you think this could have been a major factor in these coveted instruments?
They even determined what type of dye Stradivari and his colleagues used to decorate the purfling process! (*Purfling is a narrow decorative edge inlaid into the top plate and often the back plate of a stringed instrument. Inexpensive instruments may have no purfling and instead simulate the appearance with paint.)
With only 600 (approximately) Stradivarius instruments circulating around the globe, these are high priced and high respected pieces of art. I know that in this day and age it's unlikely for anyone of us to come in contact with one that isn't behind a pane of glass and a security guard watching your every move, but me thinks that a replica that was manufactured EXACTLY the same might fetch some interest with music lovers. I'm sure at some point once all studies have been concluded and the materials gathered, "new" Stradivarius instruments will be hitting the shelves. Who wouldn't want one?!
Reference(s):
Malagodi M et al (2013). A Multi-Technique Chemical Characterization of a Stradivari Decorated Violin Top Plate. Applied Physics A- Materials Science & Processing; DOI 10.1007/s00339-013-7792-2
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00339-013-7792-2
http://www.springer.com/materials/journal/339?detailsPage=press
http://link.springer.com/journal/339
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