New VS. Old
The Eternal Question
Many Strads are 300 - We're 15!
Longevity? Violins are
an amazing item in that category. There are still playable examples of
violins being used over four hundred years after they were created.
This subject reminded me of a recent experience.
When I was at VSA (the
Violin Society of America) meeting last week, I was asked by Joe Curtin
to "blind test" a selection of older makers' and living makers'
instruments in a acoustically dead room in the convention hotel. They
put dark glasses on me so I had no visual references, then I played
instruments and put them in to categories and rankings as I saw fit. The
objective of the project was to study how players respond and make
choices in testing instruments.
While I think this
process is useful, it is only partial. Players try instruments in
various environments that respond to the violin. As an example, a dead
hotel room will sound totally different to the player than an alive hall
or very spacious dead room. The type of surfaces in each environment
can significantly alter the impressions of the player. So, you might
say, "just test all in a dead room so all you hear is the violin, not
the room."
Therein lies the
problem. In my 35 years of experience, many instruments sound superior
in an isolated environment, but are surprisingly dramatically inferior
in actual performing circumstances.
This is the reason we
take strings instruments on trial. Try them under all circumstances and
in all possible environments to see how you can live with them.
Also, throw away your
prejudices! It is clear that new violins do not sound or respond
significantly worse than old violins. Chinese violins do not sound
"Chinese" and German violins don't sound "German," etc. Antiqued
violins don't sound better that "straight" violins, but the perception
of them is often enhanced by the old "feel" of them. Becoming unbiased
is an important part of the process.
Then, lastly, find a
violin you love and can be passionate about. An instrument should
inspire and challenge you, not just be a good purchase. When you find
the one, you will know!
Violins have been
around for 500 years, but can you believe in October we will have been
in business for 15 years? We began as a closet in Alex and Laura Ross'
home in 1999. Our original reason for being was to provide the best
violins possible for the Omaha Conservatory of Music students, but we
quickly grew beyond those borders. It couldn't have been possible
without you - our loyal customers - so in honor of our 15 year
anniversary, we're offering you 15 percent off on everything (excluding consignment items and repairs). Come in through October 1st to take advantage of this special.
We look forward to seeing you! -Alex
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