Violin Forum/Message Board

actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

I enjoy photography as a hobby and follow a number of bloggers on the net.

A recent post by one of my favorites was a particularly interesting read, and got me thinking about violin making.

http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.ca/2013/08/has-bubble-burst-is-that-why-camera.html

It's interesting to speculate about what would happen to our enthusiasm as makers for the craft if we ever get to a place where the methods of Stradivari are laid bare for all to understand and use. Would we be like the dog that finally caught the car?

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ctviolin · Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:04 am Post subject:

Chet Bishop · Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:48 am Post subject:

If you stop your car, so that the dog can catch it, you are likely to find out what happens when the dog catches the car...and may want to wash afterward.

I doubt the average maker will ever catch the "Stradivarian Steamer", and if he did, I doubt he would know it. He would continue to think of things to improve, and probably never realize that he had "become the car".
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ctviolin · Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:55 am Post subject:

ctviolin · Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 10:15 am Post subject:

ctviolin · Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 10:26 am Post subject:

actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

My personal ability to match Stradivari is under no threat, LOL.

Perhaps a different angle. Lets imagine that the disruptive effect that technology has had on photography was to occur in the violin world. Lets imagine that some bright light comes up with an easily mass produced synthetic fiddle that according to a wide range of experts and top players is hands down better than wooden fiddles. And can be had at Walmart for 499.00. Lets imagine that musicians flocked to these new marvels.

What effect would that have on your making? Not you pros, but you amateurs. (the pros would have a different problem... sort of like what happened when split cane bamboo fly fishing rods were replaced by graphite composites... still a market for them, but tiny.) Would you still carve away at wood in the traditional way, knowing that what you make will not match the new standard?

I know I'd struggle to pick up the gouge in such a reality. Part of the appeal of this work (like hitting a hole in one), is that you at least have a chance of making something that is top calibre...take that carrot away, and you might as well carve ducks.

Chet Bishop · Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 1:42 pm Post subject:

Ah, well...I'm sure there will be a market for ducks, then. Smile

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Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

ctviolin · Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:12 pm Post subject:

read next post
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ctviolin · Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:43 pm Post subject:

Mat Roop · Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 12:12 am Post subject:

Having been involved with photography since childhood (my Dad was a pro) I always valued the superior quality of film. I changed to digital about 5 years ago when film was getting hard to find and expensive. I was a reluctant convert, but now ... wow... digital is so much easier and waaaay cheaper and as far as quality for 99% of consumers there is no difference in quality.
The key was, as others have said, a newer way was developed to create virtually the same end product with 3 other major benefits... easier storage, quicker transmission and instant gratification.
If anyone develops a stamped out violin of same output sound quality as the classic violins... AND...with additional benefits benefits, such as no need to tune, collapses to pocket size and built in wifi with amp.... and a tone that inspires regardless of how badly you play.... well then my guess is that the violin business as we know it will disappear within a few years to become nothing more than collectors art.
Will that happen? I doubt it , but then did someone not suggest in 1899 that all that could be invented was now invented?
http://www.patentlyo.com/.a/6a00d8341c588553ef0148c760a85b970c-pi
I think we can look forward to a few more years of sailing pursuing the Stradivarius steamer!
Cheers, Mat
ps... nice discussion!

ctviolin · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 3:06 am Post subject:

Well, it's an interesting thing to contemplate, and an interesting thing to argue the probability of, and the possible outcome of, if such a thing were to occur. ("getting there", that is)

But the reality of the situation is that we're here, and that's the actuality we must exist in, operate in, and deal with.

So, other than simply acknowledge that such a thing is within the realm of possibility, and that it could one day occur - it is, in fact, at this point in time - discussing a fantasy world. So - why get wrapped up in it too deeply?

Violins have not, in fact, even remotely gone such a route as digital cameras or i-phones have.

There is still a core value here - regarding violins - of some sort - that has not been understood completely yet, that keeps them in a sort of "limbo" involving value with regard to superior and/or inferior performance...

Isn't there?
Yes, an interesting subject indeed.
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