Jacob Stainer

Jakob Steiner is one of Germany's leading violin makers.

He was born in Absam (Innsbruck, Austria) around 1617. His origins are shrouded in mystery, but his family were miners.

Steiner probably studied carpentry under the organ builder Daniel Hertz or the joiner Hans Grafinger in Absam around 1634-40.

Steiner then traveled extensively between 1644 and 1648, visiting Salzburg, Venice and Rome, and it is possible that he had the opportunity to come into contact with Amati instruments during this period.

In 1656, he was given a house by the lord of Absam, and around this time he was supplying musical instruments to various places, including Spain and Italy.

However, due to conflicts over religious beliefs, he was imprisoned for four months, which caused his health to deteriorate, making it difficult for him to continue making musical instruments, and he died in poverty in 1683 (at the age of 66).

After Steiner's death, his instruments became increasingly popular, and records from that time show that Steiner instruments were traded for far higher prices than Stradivari instruments.

Later, the model known as the "Steiner type" had a strong influence not only on German makers but also on makers in England, France, and Italy, and became a model adopted by many makers.

Its sweet tone, which is different from that of Stradivarius, is still very popular today.

Quote《The Brompton's Book of Violin and Bow Makers》