Abstract
Two violins were investigated. The only intentionally introduced
difference between them was the type of varnish. One of the instruments
was covered with a spirit varnish, the other was oil varnished.
Experimental modal analysis was done for unvarnished/varnished violins and
a questionnaire inquiry on the instrument’s sound quality was performed.
The aim of both examinations was to find differences and similarities
between the two instruments in the objective (modal parameters) and
subjective domain (subjective evaluation of sound quality). In the modal
analysis, three strongly radiating signature modes were taken into
account. Varnishing did not change the sequence of mode shapes. Modal
frequencies A0 and B(1+) were not changed by oil varnishing compared to
the unvarnished condition. For the oil varnished instrument, the frequency
of mode B(1+) was lower than that of the same mode of the spirit varnished
instrument. Our two violins were not excellent instruments, but before
varnishing they were practically identical. However, after varnishing it
appeared that the oil-varnished violin was better than the
spirit-varnished instrument. Therefore, it can be assumed with a fairly
high probability that also in general, the oil-varnished violins sound
somewhat better than initially identical spirit-varnished ones.
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