![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?
![The most famous violins made by Andrea Amati, Nicolo Amati, Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri, Jacob Stalner in MUSEUM CITE DE LA MUSIQUE – Stock Editorial Photo © DenysKuvaiev #49129219 The most famous violins made by Andrea Amati, Nicolo Amati, Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri, Jacob Stalner in MUSEUM CITE DE LA MUSIQUE – Stock Editorial Photo © DenysKuvaiev #49129219](https://st.depositphotos.com/1027803/4912/i/950/depositphotos_49129219-stock-photo-the-most-famous-violins-made.jpg)
The most famous violins made by Andrea Amati, Nicolo Amati, Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri, Jacob Stalner in MUSEUM CITE DE LA MUSIQUE – Stock Editorial Photo © DenysKuvaiev #49129219
![A Violin by Antonio Stradivari – Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins | Chicago Violin Sales and Restoration A Violin by Antonio Stradivari – Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins | Chicago Violin Sales and Restoration](https://darntonhersh.com/images-lg/strad_vieux-tb.jpg)
A Violin by Antonio Stradivari – Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins | Chicago Violin Sales and Restoration
![French instrument maker Etienne Vatelot (R) describes a Stradivarius violin while his assistant Jean-Jacques Rampal (L) holds a second one in their workshop, January 30.The two violins built by famous Italian master French instrument maker Etienne Vatelot (R) describes a Stradivarius violin while his assistant Jean-Jacques Rampal (L) holds a second one in their workshop, January 30.The two violins built by famous Italian master](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D59D5H/french-instrument-maker-etienne-vatelot-r-describes-a-stradivarius-violin-while-his-assistant-jean-jacques-rampal-l-holds-a-second-one-in-their-workshop-january-30the-two-violins-built-by-famous-italian-master-antonio-stradivarius-in-1714-and-1698-will-be-auctionned-in-february-2D59D5H.jpg)