A fine violin is typically made by a master luthier, and the most famous makers are Stradivari, AMATI, and CREMONA. Stradivari, also known as STRAD, was an Italian luthier from the 17th and 18th centuries who crafted violins of unparalleled quality. AMATI was a family of luthiers from CREMONA, Italy, who were active in the 16th and 17th centuries. CREMONA is a city in northern Italy that is renowned for its production of fine string instruments.