A long workbench, wooden parts, screw clamps, a few chisels and small planes. 300 years ago it must have looked similar in cremona as it does today in the workshop of gunter lobe in bubenreuth (district of erlangen-hochstadt). "Nothing has changed in the way of working. We work like centuries ago. With the same tools", says lobe.

Machines, industrialization, conveyor belts – none of this plays a role in the world of luthiers. Why also? The best instruments have always been made by hand, especially in cremona, the home of the italian master antonio stradivari. His violins are traded for many millions of euros.