I go a little bit tough on violins this is the only reason I don't buy a Stradivari

An auction house worker holds a 1707 Antonio Stradivari violin, known as the "Hammer," at Christies in central London in this Feb. 24, 2006 file photo. The rare instrument, made in Cremona, Italy, at the height of Stradivari's golden period, sold for a record $3.54 million at auction in New York on May 16. NEW YORK - A nearly 300-year-old Stradivarius violin sold Tuesday for more than $3.5 million, shattering the record for the highest amount paid for a musical instrument at auction, Christie’s said. The instrument, made in 1707 by Italian violinmaker Antonio Stradivari, sold at Christie’s auction house for $3,544,000 after less than five minutes of bidding. The winning bid, which included the house’s commission, broke a record of $2,032,000 paid for another Stradivarius at Christie’s in April 2005, the auction house said.