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Post by earwighoney on Aug 7, 2013 11:41:09 GMT
There's a reasonably interesting article on the Graniuad.
Some interesting comments. "I think this one has been solved? It is the wood: at the time the Stradivari were made, the earth had just completed a 300 yr cold cycle. This made trees grow slowly and increased the 'grain' or spaces between the rings. Maybe combined with special luthier skills. It may be that without the wood, it is not possible for anyone to get near the old masters." and "Two hundred years or so ago Stradivari violins were widely considered inferior to those made by Stainer in Austria. Mozart's father advised him to get a Stainer because Strads were too strident. Amazing foresight of Stradivari to make so many instruments that only really began to be appreciated long after his financial interest in them had evaporated, and after their necks had been replaced and reset (and no longer nailed to the body). In contrast to Stradivari's fine craftsmanship (or that of his apprentices and sons), the violins of Guarneri del Gesu often have the appearance of being chopped out with an axe, and made of barely seasoned wood, but, strangely, they now command the same sort of prices."
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davewhite
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Luthier
Aemulor et ambitiosior
Posts: 3,544
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Post by davewhite on Aug 7, 2013 13:08:56 GMT
And there's me thinking that it was all because Dr Who paid Strad a visit to show him how to make them
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Post by earwighoney on Aug 7, 2013 13:31:26 GMT
Ha ha. The Tardis is responsible for many great things in history.
Really looking forward to Peter Capaldi as the next Doctor.
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