It won't be a Steinway anymore!

[Murray Seminuk]

Terry
I disagree with most of the comments that you made about violins. First of
all, violins of the ages that you  mentioned have all been altered if they
are in use today.   The necks had to be lengthened  to withstand the
increase in tension as a result of the increase in the international
pitch.When violins are made the glue used on the top plate is usually
weakened  to facilitate easier removal in the future if need be.The wood in
violin making is aged a number of years (air dried) before the instrument
is made.As far as the improvement in sound by the aging process,  I  believe
that the amount the instrument is played over the years has more bearing on
the tonal qualities than how old it is. Old instruments  all benefit from
the services of a knowledgeable craftsman  capable of a careful  and
thoughtful restoration.

Regards,
Murray
----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2001 6:36 AM
Subject: Re: It won't be a Steinway anymore!


> Well, I'm not a violin technician, but that is what I hear. I realize that
> not everything about the instrument would improve, but my understanding is
> that some of the wood properties do indeed improve. My understanding is
that
> modern hi-quality violins really need a few years -decades? - to reach an
> improved tone. Am I way off? I think at a minimum, violins are really
> different from pianos in the way the age. I have never seen a 250 year old
> piano play that was considered to be one of the best sounding pianos in
the
> world. At least gimme that - there is a big difference between the two
> instruments regarding aging.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron Nossaman" <RNossaman@KSCABLE.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001 8:08 PM
> Subject: Re: It won't be a Steinway anymore!
>
>
> >
> > >
> > > Violins improve with age,
> >
> >
> > Oh?
> >
> >
> > Ron N
> >
>
>