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Why doesn't the initial claim that strads have some mythically fantastic sound that can't be beaten also raise your hackles?

• owenversteeg 10y ago
  Oh, it does quite a bit actually! I just don't talk about it here because I've personally never seen it on HN despite being here (in various incarnations) for the better part of a decade. Since I find the topic so interesting (and because my previous comments seem to be getting votes), I'll ramble for a bit more here on a few other questions I've asked myself, if you don't mind :) Are Strads a good investment: In my opinion, yes in some cases. If I was ultra-rich (defined as worth over $100MM) I'd buy one. It's a great hedge against a lot of catastrophic events. Asteroid mining makes your stockpile of gold worthless? Violin still has historic and quality value. We can engineer a copy of a strad that sounds near-identical? Ok, well this specific Strad still has historic value. AI is able to create new instruments, or makes human achievements seem lame: Strad still has historic value. Are Strads my favorite violins: I haven't heard enough of them in person to tell. Do Strads have something special in their chemistry: Nothing downright magical, and I don't think there's any one specific magic ingredient. It's probably a combination of things, combined with Stradivari's skill.
  • vacri 10y ago
    Another thing you can add to your pros-of-strads list is that it's not just a historical artifact, but it's a historical artifact that's meant to be used (not just put on display). That, in particular, is unusual.