A CT scan of a Stradivarius suggests that its critical difference from other violins is the density of its wood:
Link (Photo: Brendan McDermid of Reuters)
Using an adaptation of a computer program developed to calculate lung densities in people with emphysema, they were able to analyze the physical properties of violins without risking damage to instruments worth millions of dollars.
They found no significant differences between the median densities of the modern and the antique violins but did discover far less variation between wood grains of early and late growth in the old ones.
Link (Photo: Brendan McDermid of Reuters)
Newest 5 Comments
I'm with Rob. They figured out a long time ago that trees harvested that were grown during the "little ice age" were more dense, and therefore sound better.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
Who would give a Stradivarius to a blind guy to test, let alone someone who's double blind? That's just asking to have it broken.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
Can you point me to a double blind study that proves that anyone can tell the difference?
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
i play the violin and i would kill to get my hands on that one!
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
perhaps i'm a time traveler and don't know it but it seems this "news" came out like 20 years ago.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)