Violin Forum/Message Board

actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

The Sacconi book and other sources show that Stradivari drew a straight line accross the plate ends where the blocks are glued on, and this straight line extended past the area that would be occupied by the end blocks right to the edges on either side.

Photos of some instruments (perhaps re-worked subsequently?) show that this raised edge beyond the blocks has been trimmed away.

Any thoughts on whether this extended flat section contributes anything structurally or acoustically important to the instrument?

In instruments that have a steeply rising long arch this extended flat section can add quite a bit of lumber to the overall plate...

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Michael Darnton · Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:33 am Post subject:

In the real instruments it's not nearly as dramatic as Sacconi illustrated it--you'd miss it if you didn't know it was there.

Everything does something. :-) As my mentor on this stuff, Bob Bein, would say, two different things are never identical.
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actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

Thanks for that. The Courtnall and Johnson text shows this ledge preserved right through to the assembled instrument. I was always curious as to the functional purpose of this feature...

Michael, I don't know if you're keen on the satirical internet news site "The Onion."

They have a news show with an opening narration:

"...Taking the hatchet of truth to the skull of lies..."

Very Happy

Michael Darnton · Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:52 pm Post subject:

I am a fan of The Onion, the paper version, but don't follow the videos. :-)
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violinarius · Member Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 171

This thread here has a picture of the inside of a Stradivari top plate that might help.

http://www.violins.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=510&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

"hollowing the plates first, then outside arch"

Michael Darnton · Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:34 pm Post subject:

The problem is that that particular violin is notable for how little it's buggered, and still, it's pretty buggered. :-) New edges and platforms all around. Usually backs, with fewer repairs are easier to see that kind of stuff on, but most of my internal pix, such as that one, are archive pix of repair work, so not of backs.
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jacobyfineviolins · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 55 Location: Omaha, NE

I only take the platform away to the block if I really need to reduce the weight of a plate, and have nowhere else to turn. I think, at this point, that that section of the plate is pretty inconsequential, and the extra mass helps prevent cracks when it's left full.
Anyone have other experience?
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