Posted on 07/17/2005 9:35:07 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Antonius Stradivarius violins are shrouded in more myths than any other instruments in world history. At Mid Sweden University, researchers are using modern technology to uncover his secrets. At the international acoustics conference ICSV12, taking place in Lisbon on July 11-14, 2005, Associate Professor Mats Tinnsten will be presenting the latest research findings in the field.
"It's not possible to copy Stradivarius violins exactly, since wood is a living material with great natural variations. The results of new research indicate, however, that we will be able to overcome such difficulties with the aid of advanced computer support," says Mats Tinnsten.
The Italian Antonius Stradivarius, 1644-1737, introduced a geometry and design that became the exemplar for all violin-makers. Of the 1,100 instruments he built, some 650 still survive. The extremely high value of these instruments was demonstrated at an auction at Christie's in London in April. The 'Lady Tennant' Stradivarius violin sold for more than SEK 14 million, the auction record for a musical instrument.
"His craftsmanship is still unexcelled. Few after the death of Stradivarius have managed to produce anything that even approaches his best work," says Mats Tinnsten, who, together with Associate Professor Peter Carlsson, is researching whether it is possible to copy Stradivarius violins with the aid of modern technology and powerful computers.
What the Mid Sweden University scientists are trying to create is a violin with the same acoustic properties as a Stradivarius instrument. This work is progressing in stages, and it was decided that the first stage would involve calculations based on the top of the violin.
"With the help of advanced mathematical optimization method, we can determine how a top should be shaped to achieve the same properties as a top from a genuine Stradivarius," says Peter Carlsson.
The reason it is not possible to simply copy a top or an entire violin exactly is that it can never be assumed that the new top will have the same material properties as the old one.
During the 12th International Congress on Sound and Vibration, ICSV12 at the Lisbon University of Technology, Mats Tinnsten will show how far along he and Peter Carlsson have progressed in their pursuit of the perfect violin.
"Stradivarius violins were made of slow-growth spruce. Perhaps our research will help create a new instrument-making industry in northern Sweden," concludes Peter Carlsson.
do you build them?
I always wanted to give it a try
Scientific american wrote a very detailed book about the physics of the violin
I own a couple of string instruments, viola being the most delicate, and they need repair now and then, so that is my involvement. I also lived for a while within a block of a violin factory and got to see some of the process. It is interesting how few players are willing to put glue to wood.
Classical music list ping.
I thought this would be of interest to the membership.
Republicanprofessor, the keeper of this list, is off-line, and I am the temporary caretaker of the list.
If you want on or off the list, let me know.
I have the wood gouges saws and chiseles as I do woodcarving.
Clamps and jigs however are another matter.
I have a chinese fiddle that I bought for 80 bucks back in the early 80s. I did all the black laquer work on it.
Fascinating insruments
I didnt know we had a classical music ping list!
Please add me to the list.
Dear mylife,
"I didnt know we had a classical music ping list!
"Please add me to the list."
I certainly will!
It is a verrryy low-ping list, though.
;-)
sitetest
The violin factory was also building a contrabass. Everything was scaled up and all their clamps were made by them right there. A person could specialize in making clamps because you need so many to hold the instrument together. Forms and pegs, steam bending tables, shapers and templates, it all gets to be quite an enterprise. Even the main worktable for contrabass work is a substantial piece of work and, if the garage is converted to a bass workshop, the SUV would have to sit in the driveway from then on.
Thank you sitetest!
Yes, I undetand it would be quite an investment and a rather expensive hobby. creating all the jigs would be quite a task
Right. It might be a side business in a town this size, 100,000, manufacture and repair, but it takes generations to find suitable workers and scale up to full manufacture, and it would be hard to compete with California, South Korea, and China on the world market, which we would have to do since we are physically isolated and would have to ship worldwide to make a go of it.
Id sure like to tour that factory.
Were is it located?
Europe.
Figures L0L I should have known it wasnt in arkansas!
It could be in Arkansas! How is the humidity? Florida would be hopeless because of humidity, but Arkansas is possible as a factory location.
L0L Im in Tx which is very humid.
Arkansas isnt as bad in my experience.
I know a great place in SE AZ that had good weather and 12- 38% humidity.
Population is about 30K
L0L There I go dreaming again L0L
Arizona would do. Setting up the plant would be a career in itself. A major part of the work is sent out into the community as piece work. That's probably how Stradivarious got started, doing piece work.
whats interesting is in this day of fedex and the internet the world is your local community
Though...too dry isn't good either.
The violin shop my sister works in, I think they try to keep to between 35 and 50% - mainly around 40.
Oh I also forgot that a wide array of custom wood scrapers would have to be produced.
It really is amazing how much work and art are involved in the production of the bowed instrument
Where does your sister work?
What does she do there?
questions questions L0L
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