Francesco Stradivari
(b Cremona, 1 Feb 1671; d Cremona, 11 May 1743 ). Violin maker, eldest son of Antonio Stradivari.
Although only a handful of his instruments still bear their original labels, he was nevertheless a highly important maker, though perhaps less spontaneous and confident than his father. He was his father's right-hand man for over 50 years, during which time he assisted in the building and occasionally the design of a wide variety of bowed and plucked instruments.
He was perhaps responsible for the modification of the ‘forma B’ cello, about 1730, and was the author of the drawing used for a further modification of the same model, called the ‘forma B piccola’. Antonio's models for mandolins were also slightly modified by Francesco. His most distinguished violin is the ‘Ex-Salabue’ of 1742.
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