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violin sound quality
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pky
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October 23, 2011 - 3:44 pm
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My  questions:

If a violin is a copy of some famous brand, like strad, why doesn't it sound the same? May be I should rephrase my question: violins from same model, made of same materials, by the same maker, why do their sound quality sound so different from each other? Did I make myself clear? Well, may be I should just ask: What make the difference in sound quality of each violin?

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myguitarnow
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October 23, 2011 - 4:35 pm
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It has a lot to do with the age of the wood used pky. Plus many other factors how the violin is glued together and actual measurements. Many different things (strings, warped wood, size and style of the bridge, string action as too high too low, playing style…). 

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pky
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October 23, 2011 - 4:49 pm
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Yes, thank you, btw, i do know no two violin were made of same wood.  Apparently violins are made of wood cut horizontally, so two or three violins could have been made of wood that are pretty close in quality (grain wise). In that case, would they sound pretty much the same since to make a violin, one only needs about one to two inches of wood to begin with.

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myguitarnow
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October 23, 2011 - 5:18 pm
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I hear what you are saying pky. It also has do with who is making the violin. Quality control comes to mind ;-)  

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pky
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October 23, 2011 - 5:37 pm
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Yeah, I guess, it goes back to quality control:( the most important part in violin making.

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Kevin M.
Nicholson, Pa
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October 24, 2011 - 8:54 am
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With copies of violins measurements are made and the new violin is made from thoughs measurements.  As the master luthiers work when carving out a top they tap on the wood hearing different tones from the wood.  So when one top is at one measurement another is at a different measurement.  It is these differences from one to another and the ability to match the carving of the wood to it's tone quality that makes each violin different.  There are differences in finishes also which effect the quality of the sound.  I saw video where one luthier puts his tops over a speaker, puts fine sands in it and at different frequencies the sands make different patterns.  By removing slight amounts of wood the patterns change and in that way he tunes his tops.

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HeadCheese
Plano, Texas

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October 24, 2011 - 9:32 am
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Kevin M. said:

I saw video where one luthier puts his tops over a speaker, puts fine sands in it and at different frequencies the sands make different patterns.  By removing slight amounts of wood the patterns change and in that way he tunes his tops.

I guess that doesn't qualify for "Old-World" craftsmanship, does it?cool

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Oliver
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October 24, 2011 - 9:57 am
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I wonder if anyone really knows the reasons for "great" violins EXCEPT for the meticulous repetition of construction details/materials that have been established by strictly empirical means. 

I can imagine a time when many village luthiers were making violins and one violin was different.  Much better.  Now what?  COPY IT!  Copy what?  Everything!  (Meticulous attention to detail is what happens for the lack of tangible principles.)

In any case, it is encouraging to hear reports that modern violins are being made which are as much world class as any Strad and I'll let the luthiers worry about how that is done smile

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