|
Tweakers' Asylum Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ. |
|
|
|
Tweakers' Asylum Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ. |
|
In Reply to: Interesting.... posted by unclestu on January 30, 2013 at 01:11:37:
More "Interesting" -
"Mystery Solved: Chemicals Made Stradivarius Violins Unique, Says Professor"
Http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061129151126.htm
>>> "The conclusions, published in the journal Nature, have confirmed 30 years of work into the subject by Joseph Nagyvary, professor emeritus of biochemistry at Texas A&M University, who was the first to theorize that chemicals -- not necessarily the wood -- created the unique sound of the two violins." <<<
>>> "This research proves unquestionably that the wood of the great masters was subjected to an aggressive chemical treatment and the chemicals -- most likely some sort of oxidizing agents -- had a crucial role in creating the great sound of the Stradivarius and the Guarneri," Nagyvary says. "Like many discoveries, this one could have been accidental." <<<
>>> "Nagyvary obtained minute wood samples from restorers working on Stradivarius and Guarneri instruments ("no easy trick and it took a lot of begging to get them," he adds). The results of the preliminary analysis of these samples, published in "Nature" in 2006, suggested that the wood was brutally treated by some unidentified chemicals. For the present study, the researchers burned the wood slivers to ash, the only way to obtain accurate readings for the chemical elements.
They found numerous chemicals in the wood, among them borax, fluorides, chromium and iron salts.
"Borax has a long history as a preservative, going back to the ancient Egyptians, who used it in mummification and later as an insecticide," Nagyvary adds.
"The presence of these chemicals all points to collaboration between the violin makers and the local drugstore and druggist at the time. Their probable intent was to treat the wood for preservation purposes. Both Stradivari and Guarneri would have wanted to treat their violins to prevent worms from eating away the wood because worm infestations were very widespread at that time." <<<
Just how important were (are today) chemicals and their association with providing good sound ?
We are back again, unclestu, to your statement
>>> "If this leads to a rethinking of things, so be it." <<<
Regards,
May Belt,
Manufacturer.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- RE: Interesting.... - May Belt 12:45:01 01/30/13 (1)
- RE: Interesting.... - unclestu 13:32:17 01/30/13 (0)
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
