Planet Money Episode 538: Is A Stradivarius Just A Violin?

Violins and violas are like living, breathing things. Many are hand-crafted with wood from a tree. Each one is different. And you know the story--Antonio Stradivari was the master. Some say he was the greatest maker of stringed instruments to ever live. The Stradivarius is one of the most powerful and expensive brands in the world.

And, certainly, the guy made really nice instruments. But...how nice, exactly?