Comments on: Digital Stradivari: computer models of violins reveal master luthier’s techniques http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/ News about the Smithsonian’s research in the fields of anthropology, astrophysics, conservation biology, geology, materials science, paleontology, zoology, and global climate change. Mon, 08 Dec 2014 08:04:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 By: E. Wells http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-16271 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:04:15 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-16271 I believe the density of the top and bottom plates has as much to do with the tonal quality as the thickness consistency….if not, then why do violins sound appear to improve with the aging of the woods?

It appears from the CT scans that the thickness of the plates by the masters was not perfect. With today’s measuring devices we should be able to produce quality violins if the wood is comparable to the wood used by the masters.

]]> By: Heinrich http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-10949 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 14:27:00 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-10949 David,

Perhaps they might be interested. Visit this:

http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/hitech/magnesium_violins/index.html

]]> By: Beverlee Swygert http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-7295 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:38:08 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-7295 I have been playing the guitar for over 27 years and your blog post has been one of the most and inspiring that I have read on guitar playing. You can bet that I am bookmarking your blog for more insight on guitar playing.

]]> By: buy beatz http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-7064 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:54:12 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-7064 I couldent agree more with the author on this one evem tho there are a few points I have diffrent outlooks on.

]]> By: David Foster http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-5958 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:25:52 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-5958 I have constructed a computer model of a violin, and found the displacements associated with the natural vibration modes of the body. I have started to investigate the effect of type of wood and thickness on the forced vibration response of the body to forces input to the bridge from vibration of the strings. I can share the results obtained so far with anyone interested in seeing them.

]]> By: Matt http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-2789 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:52:46 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-2789 Regraduation can be done on any carved top instrument.

]]> By: july http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-2499 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:32:10 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-2499 Is this also applicable to guitars?

]]> By: Fred Rupert http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-1035 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:39:58 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-1035 Graduations are the thicknesses of the violin’s top and back plates. Generally they will be thicker in the middle and thinner toward the far edges of the plates. Re-graduation is when a subsequent repair person thought the tone could be improved by thinning either or both of the plates. It is true that many old instruments have been regraduated.

]]> By: Paul http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-967 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:19:32 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-967 Hi,
“re-graduated”? I just play a guitar so please do explain the term “re-graduated”. Thank you!

]]> By: Vi Wickam http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-913 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:42:52 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-913 Nevertheless, they are gathering statistics on instruments that have an amazing tone quality, and value.

The data on these violins as they are today is still valuable, whether or not it represents how they were when they left the master,s shop.

Vi Wickam
Violinist
http://www.fortcollinsstrings.com

]]> By: Violinist1 http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-696 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:12:15 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-696 Most of these violin have been “re-graduated”. So the thickness of the top and back is no longer the same as that originally envisaged by the great masters. Hence, the volume of air is also incorrect, if one were to measure that with these “re-graduated” – or, thinnned out – instruments.

]]> By: uberVU - social comments http://smithsonianscience.org/2009/11/digital-stradivari-computer-models-of-violins-reveal-the-master-luthiers-secrets/#comment-667 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:07:32 +0000 http://smithsonianscience.org/?p=2555#comment-667 Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by benchrest: Digital Stradivari: computer models of violins reveal master … http://bit.ly/DWW0B…

]]>