The violin is a maechanical and pneumatical contraption. Stradivari made and sold new violins, which build his reputation. A new master made violin should sound more powerful than a tired 300 year old mechanical contraption. It is a no-brainer.

Ahh yes once again art and the experience of the artist are trumped by science. But maybe it says more about how we shouldn’t worship idols. In other words - which “Strad” was it a Strad? Who Played? What did they play?

Lots of holes in this story but someone gets some publlcity. The sad part about it is I’ll have to listen to my clients ask about the fungus violins.

Since the dawning of the 19th century “New” Cremona fiddle shops sprang forth on every street corner in every major city around the world. Each fiddle maker claimed that he had “re-discovered” the so-called secret recipe for making the Old Cremona Varnish! And each one claimed to have learned exactly how to manipulate the same type of wood that Antonio Stradivari used, in order to achieve equal physical beauty and “tonal” perfection. During my 60 years on this earth I have yet to see (or hear) the first violin (among untold thousands) that could match either claim. And now I am expected to believe otherwise? Give a rest folks, for the space of about 400 years.

Yes…spot on, John. Also, when was the last time anyone heard of a Strad selling for $2M? Have we gone back in time 10 years or is this really just an average Strad at best? Perhaps we could get lucky and the top could be by Tononi (or other like maker) and THEN the mushroom breeders can claim to have beaten TWO great makers ALL AT ONCE!! Yay for science! After 300 years of guesswork, I have to say that I am personally relieved that someone has finally cracked Stradivari’s great secret. Perhaps now, we can quit trying to replicate that which only God and nature can do and save the fungus for dinner…

And how long will this Fungus-infested violin last? 300 days, tops, not 350+ years.