Jacob Stainer worked in Absam in the Tyrol in the mid to late 1600s. He was considered to be the best maker before Strad. Typically, his instruments are high arched, big, boxy things, very flat on top and swooping to the edges. Body outline owes a lot to the influence of the Amatise. Lots of copies out there, but expect to pay anything from £500 up to about £2.5K for a 19th c German Stainer pattern depending on age, condition, quality and snobbery about factories.

Generally pretty nice instruments, "silvery" tone with good power and warm Gs - Tonally not as well balanced throughout as the flatter strads that came later though, as the high arching makes the plates stiff/flexible in a less even pattern - The strad vibrates more evenly, so the tone is sweeter (or more boring, depending on your point of view.

Hope that helps,
Cheers,
Jon