Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Currently working on getting badges to show up horizontally. Should hopefully figure that out within a week. Thanks for your patience.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Regular advisor
Offline
Apparently they've created violin strings from spider silk! Creeeeepy, but interesting! Spiders, despite being scary to run into unexpectedly, do make relativity strong and flexible thread. They're really an engineering wonder.
The strings that were made measured between the strength of real gut and aluminum coated nylon core. That's right, spider strings were stronger than nylons! The article talks about a distinct sound quality, but I couldn't find any audio samples. Too bad. Perhaps we'll have spider silk bows to go with them next!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/scie.....t-17232058
Advanced member
Offline
There is a audio clip on the article. It does have a unique sound.
16 years of experience and relearning.
Regular advisor
Offline
Ah, I thought it was odd to not include a sample. Thanks for the heads up! My internet settings must have blocked whatever they're using to post the audio. I'll have to figure out which item it is to unblock.
Offline
I bet they aint cheap either...!!!
I'm complaining about $40 string sets, I render a guess they are in the hundfred thousand range with research and mfg costs added together.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
After reading the title I had a thought of a violin shaped like a spider. I'll keep that on the back burner.
Regular advisor
Offline
Well, there are already dragon, lion, mermaid, and other shaped violins. I wouldn't be surprised if one like that already existed.
cdennyb said
I bet they aint cheap either...!!!I'm complaining about $40 string sets, I render a guess they are in the hundfred thousand range with research and mfg costs added together.
Well one thing that will cut cost, are the spiders being paid for their silk and are they Union members.
Interesting topic.
Honorary tenured advisor
Offline
Now if you can train a spider to weave you some strings and then put them on your violin for you ! Then you got something !! 
You get a family of spiders living inside your violin and you never have to buy strings again. 
But ,I dont think FM would like that idea!
No matter where you go, there you are!
Offline
I would as long as took care of my violin too. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
1 Guest(s)
Mouse
Andie.Kae
ELCBK
Fiddlerman
