The violin at the center of this story was produced by Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri, a contemporary of the more famous Antonio Stradivari, and the son and grandson of equally highly regarded violin makers. Giuseppe, a devout Catholic, always identified his violins with the initials I.H.S. (as shown during the episode). While these violins are not as famous as the more well known Stradivarius, many musicians today actually prefer the Guarnerius, believing it gives a better, richer sound.