The string family is normally thought of as a member of the violin family, including the violin, viola, violoncello and more. String instruments are known as chordophones, and the earliest surviving stringed instrument to date are the Lyres of Ur, plucked chordophones, which date back to 4,500 years ago!

        People who practice the art of crafting stringed instruments are known as luthiers, and the most famous luthier of all time was Antonio Stradivari, whose violins received incredible amounts of reputation during his lifetime. Obviously, the violins of Stradivari are in high demand today, and in 2006, one of his violins sold for over $3.5 million dollars.