Books › Old Violins And Their Makers, 1883 › scan 271
Scan 271
Old Violins And Their Makers, 1883
4 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 257. See the scan on archive.org.
1this instrument has never justified the enthusiasm of its first reception, it shows that shape is not of so much importance, provided the acoustic conditions are complied with.
3The quality of violins depends primarily on the relations existing between the various parts which compose them. Whatever form and proportions are given to the belly of a violin, the rims and the rest of the instrument must be in strict relation thereto. The movement communicated by the bridge to the upper table will be continued by the latter, according to its thickness and elasticity. The more its surface is capable of continuing the vibration, the stronger will be the tone, and it should be capable of carrying these vibrations to its own margin, in order to communicate them in sufficient strength to the rims; and these, again, must be so constructed that they shall carry on the motion, with as little loss as possible, to the back. One of the greatest defects of ordinary violins arises from a complete inattention to, or ignorance of, this rule. Although it may appear scarcely possible to miss it in constructing such a delicate instrument of such elastic materials, one may easily be convinced of the contrary by sprinkling on the upper table of an ordinary instrument some very fine sand or fine light sawdust, when, on producing sounds from several of the strings, it will be seen that the extreme portions of the half of the instrument towards the neck scarcely ever vibrate. The thickness of this upper table must be determined by the quality of the wood. If this is dense and rigid, it must be worked thin. If light and dry, it must be stronger, and, of
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