Challenging some long-held beliefs about old violins versus new violins – is there any proof for the following commonly-held ideas?
1. Violins improve with playing; the longer and better they are played, the more they improve.
2. Any competent violinist can separate old from new violins by playing them.
3. The best old Italians are quiet under the ear but out-project seemingly louder new instruments in the hall.
4. Strads and del Gésus have distinct voices.
5. The sound of the best old Italians have never been reproduced in newer violins.
Read about a presentation on violin tone research by Joseph Curtin and Claudia Fritz