Answer · Stradivari "secret"

There is no general audible superiority; individual instruments differ more than old from new, and reputation…

There is no general audible superiority; individual instruments differ more than old from new, and reputation shapes judgement.

Most likelyAnswers 1 questionPublished0

Where it stands

Most likelyIts tests supported it: one piece of evidence for, one against. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

What it predicts

Blind preference varies by instrument and player, not by age; sighted tests favour old violins.

What would rule it out

A large pre-registered blind study with many instruments showing a consistent old-violin advantage.

Evidence 1 for · 1 against

Three independent blind studies with players and listeners found no old-violin advantage.

Supported

FOR

Each study used few instruments (six to twelve), limiting generalisation to all Stradivaris.

Suggestive

AGAINST

The questions it answers

Do Stradivari violins sound or play better than the best new violins?

AnsweredNo answer ahead

Cite it

Mysteries Department. (2026). There is no general audible superiority; individual instruments differ more than old from new, and reputation… [Answer ANS0CQAGR1M7TYY]. https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0CQAGR1M7TYY

@misc{mysteriesdept_ans0cqagr1m7tyy,
  title     = {There is no general audible superiority; individual instruments differ more than old from new, and reputation…},
  author    = {{Mysteries Department}},
  year      = {2026},
  note      = {Answer, catalog key ANS0CQAGR1M7TYY},
  url       = {https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0CQAGR1M7TYY}
}