From 1690 on to the end of the century, Stradivari entered a phase characterised by numerous experiments, a phase experts refer to as the period of the ‘Long Strad’, or ‘Long Pattern’. The Hill Brothers wrote the following on the subject: ‘The year 1690 is perhaps one of the most interesting epochs in Stradivari’s career; it certainly marks the most complete innovation as regards the form, construction, and proportions of the violin which took place in his work; […] We refer to the creation of the ‘‘long Strad”.’
More information: Antonio Stradivari Set 1, Volume 1, Page 294