The Jupiter Stradivarius is a violin constructed in 1700 by the famous luthier Antonio Stradivari of Cremona. It is one of only 700 extant Stradivari instruments in the world today.
The Jupiter was once owned and played by virtuoso violinist Giovanni Battista Viotti.
The Jupiter Strad is currently owned and played by Arnold Belnick. He recently displayed and played it at a meeting of the Southern California Violin Makers Association. It is an instrument used as a pattern for violin makers. It has a fine grained front and retains much of its original varnish. Mr. Darnton, instructor of the class, said the neck has been replaced 5 times and the radii of the neck are smaller than one might expect on a neck, The join to the original scroll is almost indetectable. The top of the scroll appears narrower than that of the Gibson Strad but the difference in measurement is probably negligible. The back of the sroll is worn away from friction with the case during transportation proving that this has been a working violin for its entire 310 year life. Mr. Belnick plays without a chinrest so the entire lower bouts are visible. While playing Mr. Belnick tunes frequently, using the pegs, without moving the instrument from his chin. He uses a Tourte bow.