http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96708334&sc=emaf

Can a bass fit in a MRI machine? This story was on NPR yesterday.

That seems to be an infomercial for a DVD or did I miss some actual knowledge there?

He never explained how the data collected was used to improve the instruments.

Or even mentioned any data at all. Lots of name dropping and other promotional content, zero knowledge.

There seems to be a trend in both public and private broadcasting, at least in my part of the world, towards this kind of infomercial programming. 'Cooking' shows that are hosted by kitchen store owners, 'gardening' shows that are hosted by landscape contractors, 'investing' shows that are hosted by financial planners.

It makes it very hard to gain access to unbiased information........thank god for Forums like this one. :)

most likely legit..but somehow "hot-rodded" seems an understatement for the caliber of instruments and...the artist.

"It turns out that things that work very well are also very beautiful," Zygmuntowicz says. "It is sort of an ancient design concept that goes back to Pythagoras — that the universe is designed in ... an aesthetic, rational way. That still seems to hold up in the case of the violin."

Or not...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96786160

Reminds me of the recent basses thread featuring a Prescott that to some appeared crudely made. Does an instrument need to be symmetrical or pretty to sound good and play well? I think to some people it matters, to others not so much.


I think the term "hot-rodded" was used to relate to the radio audience that it was optimized, tricked out, thoroughly gone through piece by piece like a show car. Clearly there is scientific analysis going on and not just marketing hype, although I hear what you're saying, Jake. Yeah, it would be a lot more interesting article if they said a little about what they feel makes it an equal or better violin than a strad. Pretty pictures, but what are you learning from those spectra and running them through the MRI?

That seems to be an infomercial for a DVD or did I miss some actual knowledge there?Yup to the infomercial...but the DVD will be well worth it. The list of collaborators on this DVD are among the highest echelon of violinmaking today.

The Strad 3D project website is www.strad3d.org (http://www.strad3d.org/).


The Strad 3D DVD will be $100 and is scheduled to be shipped in Feb 2009.


Also of interest is the NPR story on innovative instruments at the VSA (Violin Society of America) Convention this past week, including the latest ultralight and balsa violins:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96786160


No affiliation here (I could only wish to be so worthy!) I have nothing to gain from the sale of this DVD!

Interesting stuff.

Thanks for sharing that, Eric!

He has a reputation as one of the best violin makers around, and is known for copies that can be passed off as originals.

However, I haven't seen anybody play violin with a hammer lately so I remain skeptical.