Good Vibrations

The term "masterworks" applies equally to the product of great composers and instrument makers. And among those violins that have reputations for great "voices," those crafted by Stradivari and Guarneri in the 1700's are in a class alone.

They are so coveted, they instruments are frequently subject to:

• Theft - like the Stradavarius recently stolen in a London sandwich shop when its owner stopped for a bite to eat, or
• Auction - like the 269-year-old Vieuxtemps Guarneri del Jesu, now on the market and expected to bring $18 million.

Fortunately, the investors who typically buy the best instruments of all time also love music enough to place these violins into the hands of top virtuosos in our time... Hopefully this time, too.

Bought By Billionaires Audio Embed: All Things Considered 12/6/10, Reporter: Vivian Goodman