Player preferences among new and old violins Joseph Curtin

in 2010, caudia fritz , curtin organized double-blind study published in proceedings of national academy of sciences in 21 professional violinists tried identify violins old (including 2 stradivarius , guarneri), , new, , preferred. 13 of 21 violinists preferred new violins. 1 of stradivarius violins least preferred. violinists not reliably identify instruments old, , new.

earl carlyss, member of juilliard string quartet, critical of study saying it’s totally inappropriate way of finding out quality of these instruments , , makes older violins better how sound audience in concert hall, not if violinist likes it, in hotel room.

john soloninka, 1 of violinists played in study, said fascinating. too, expected able tell difference, not , if, after this, cling picayune critiques , dismiss study, think in denial. if 21 of not tell in controlled circumstances , 1500 people not tell differences in hall, , consistent past studies...then time put myths out pasture.

in similar 1977 experiment, isaac stern , pinchas zukerman , classical violin dealer charles beare listened stradivarius, guarneri, , (then modern) 1976 british violin. unable identify instrument which, , 2 of them mistakenly identified 1976 violin stradivarius.