William Scott was privileged to be commissioned to make a replica of the Antonio Stradivari violin of 1720 known as the "ex-Rochester". Owned by a local artist, access to the violin was available for necessary measurements. templates, study photos and details that would help give a workable copy to the owner.
Players often like to have their great, rare instruments copied for use is situations that might compromise the safety or security of a priceless masterpiece. I had this opportunity of an example of Stradivari's greatest period of violin making-The Golden Period of 1704-1720s). This violin is one that has known provenance back to 1820. It is well preserved and sounds wonderful as a concert instrument.
My goal was to copy not only the look and feel of the original but capture the character and quality of the sound. Hopefully this has been accomplished and with a few more years of playing in, should be well on its way. After all, Antonio's greatest instruments have been played on now for nearly 300 years! Most agree that time does improve a good instrument.
