# If the materials differ, do the differences change the sound? · Stradivari "secret" > Three answers have been proposed. The material differences exist but have no reliable audible effect. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPAY7VZ1/if-the-materials-differ-do-the-differences-change-the-sound Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:53+00:00 --- **0** # If the materials differ, do the differences change the sound? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Is there anything physically distinct about the wood and finish of Stradivari's instruments?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGP34147N/is-there-anything-physically-distinct-about-the-wood-and)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: the material differences exist but have no reliable audible effect** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. The material differences exist but have no reliable audible effect. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters Material differences are established; a causal link to sound is not, and the blind tests suggest any effect is small⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGDSG1YB4/materials-engineering-of-violin-soundboards-by-stradivari)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGD9W2GEZ/listener-evaluations-of-new-and-old-italian-violins). ## Answers 3 [**The material differences exist but have no reliable audible effect.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/answers/ANS0CQAGWXW42SF/the-material-differences-exist-but-have-no-reliable-audible) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/answers/ANS0CQAGXDG0720/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The mineral treatment and aged wood change plate stiffness and damping enough to be heard.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/answers/ANS0CQAGWE850PX/the-mineral-treatment-and-aged-wood-change-plate-stiffness) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible ## History 1. 2017[Fritz et al. puts forward: the material differences exist but have no reliable audible effect.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGD9W2GEZ/listener-evaluations-of-new-and-old-italian-violins) 1. 2017[Fritz et al.: listeners and players do not prefer or identify Stradivaris in blind tests.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGD9W2GEZ/listener-evaluations-of-new-and-old-italian-violins)For: The material differences exist but have no reliable audible effect. 1. 2021[Su et al. puts forward: the mineral treatment and aged wood change plate stiffness and damping enough to be heard.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGDSG1YB4/materials-engineering-of-violin-soundboards-by-stradivari) 1. 2021[Su et al.: altered cellulose nanostructure in heavily treated Stradivari samples.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGDSG1YB4/materials-engineering-of-violin-soundboards-by-stradivari)For: The mineral treatment and aged wood change plate stiffness and damping enough to be heard. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPAY7VZ1/if-the-materials-differ-do-the-differences-change-the-sound%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPAY7VZ1/if-the-materials-differ-do-the-differences-change-the-sound%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPAY7VZ1/if-the-materials-differ-do-the-differences-change-the-sound%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPAY7VZ1/if-the-materials-differ-do-the-differences-change-the-sound%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPAY7VZ1/if-the-materials-differ-do-the-differences-change-the-sound%23add-source) Where it fits Stradivari "secret" [**Is there anything physically distinct about the wood and finish of Stradivari's instruments?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGP34147N/is-there-anything-physically-distinct-about-the-wood-and)Key question · most likely stradivari and Guarneri treated their wood with mineral solutions (borax, sulphates, salt, alum, alkali),… **If the materials differ, do the differences change the sound?** You're here · the material differences exist but have no reliable audible effect [Is the Messiah violin by Stradivari?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPJR4XFR/is-the-messiah-violin-by-stradivari)Answered · The Messiah is a Stradivari of about 1716. 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