Perlman plays on a special Stradivarius violin called the Soil Stradivarius , made in 1714 . He also plays on a Guarneri del Gesu made about 1743 . Perlman plays on the antique Soil Stradivarius violin of 1714 , formerly owned by Yehudi Menuhin and considered to be one of the finest violins made during Stradivari 's `` golden period '' , as well as the Sauret Guarneri del Gesu of c. 1743 .