I seem to remember some discussion of resophonic violins in the past on this site. For everyone's general interest, Elderly Instruments has one featured in the fiddle section of their website:
They sound horrible - like a trumpet played with a bow ...or somebody blowing a raspberry into a fiddle.
I believe Michael Coleman played one of these on his recordings - much to his disliking. It was actually invented for the purpose of recording, as its sound emission was much more directional than the traditional violin. However, the inferiority of its timbre is not all that apparent on the old 78 recordings, as it sounds much like a 78 recording of a violin anyway.
I did once get an opportunity to play one of these. Not impressed. They sound like everything sounds after a rapid descent in an aircraft.
Such a pity, they look so cool. Notice in the pics the small horn which is directed towards the players left ear. This is because the sound is so directional from the main horn that it would be difficult to hear what you were playing without this addition. What telephone engineers call "side tone".
The stroh violins were popular round the turn of the (last) century because of their lodness - you would get two violinists/fiddlers for the price of one.
Apparantly Michael Coleman was forced to use the stroh violin for his recording and he did''nt think much of it. I guess the powerful and directional sound was a good match to the recording equipment at the time...
The foregoing word pictures when stripped of their flippancy, well describe the sound of a 'Stroh'.
The CD 'Music of the Fiddle - Volume 5' features Ron Gonnella playing tunes on the fiddles of Gow, Marshall and Skinner. The Skinner fiddle is of course his Stroh', now owned by W.R. Junner of Strachan, Banchory. Details are: Ross Records, Turriff, Aberdeenshire CDTHIS 005.
Some of the recordings by Scott Skinner on the CD, 'The Strathspey King' (listed here on theSession), are played on the 'Stroh' too. Not a high fidelity recording, but nevertheless a very interesting one that brings you back to earth in a hurry, if the ego has gone a tad out of control.
Heard one being played on TV a while back, on some one-off musical antiquities program. It sounded pretty grim through the TV speakers, so I imagine it would be infinitely worse in real life. Only recommended for those with tin ears.
Very apt description, Mr Michael! Like it. In the words of Diamond Dublin geezer, "Fookin' shoite, dat is!!!"
Actually, to be honest, I've heard that stroh viol used for an act where as far as the music is concerned any sort of miked/pick-upped violin probably would do, but the appearance of the thing is important to the act. Under those conditions (and with a very experienced operator) it sounds pretty good, but then of course you're not hearing the acoustics of the thing itself, only what the pick-up picks up.
We borrowed one about a month ago from a friend, stuck some strings on it, photographed it and made a recording. When I first saw this beastie I was a bit sceptical about the sound, but it's not as bad as you'd think. It had a big trumpet and a smaller one so the player could hear in noisy surroundings.
Have a look and see what you think: go to http://www.danceofdelight.com then follow the link top right to "more about Instruments" and you'll find it on the "unusual violins" link.
I live in Antwerp and for the last two years buskers from Eastern Europe have been playing Stroh vioins on the streets.How do they sound? Like an old tin cylinder recording.
Stroh Violin
Stroh Violin
I seem to remember some discussion of resophonic violins in the past on this site. For everyone's general interest, Elderly Instruments has one featured in the fiddle section of their website:
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/STROHV27.htm
I've never actually heard one of these. Anyone have any idea of what they sound like?
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by RG
Re: Stroh Violin
like a fiddle with no sound post recorded on a hissy old cassette deck with the bass turned right down and the treble turned right up
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by llig leahcim
Re: Stroh Violin
in the room next door
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by llig leahcim
Re: Stroh Violin
What an interesting instrument. Does it have spark plugs and a pull start cord?
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by Robby B.
Re: Stroh Violin
Yes. Performers are advised not to rely on them in colder weather, as you may have problems getting them started
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by RG
Re: Stroh Violin
They sound horrible - like a trumpet played with a bow ...or somebody blowing a raspberry into a fiddle.
I believe Michael Coleman played one of these on his recordings - much to his disliking. It was actually invented for the purpose of recording, as its sound emission was much more directional than the traditional violin. However, the inferiority of its timbre is not all that apparent on the old 78 recordings, as it sounds much like a 78 recording of a violin anyway.
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by OrganicPeatCreature
Re: Stroh Violin
I did once get an opportunity to play one of these. Not impressed. They sound like everything sounds after a rapid descent in an aircraft.
Such a pity, they look so cool. Notice in the pics the small horn which is directed towards the players left ear. This is because the sound is so directional from the main horn that it would be difficult to hear what you were playing without this addition. What telephone engineers call "side tone".
John.
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by rosenun
Re: Stroh Violin
Julia Clifford, Sliabh Luachra fiddler and sister of Denis Murphy, used one for many years.
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by coyotebanjo
Re: Stroh Violin
The stroh violins were popular round the turn of the (last) century because of their lodness - you would get two violinists/fiddlers for the price of one. Apparantly Michael Coleman was forced to use the stroh violin for his recording and he did''nt think much of it. I guess the powerful and directional sound was a good match to the recording equipment at the time...
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by FiddleTramp
Re: Stroh Violin
Robby B, it doesn't have spark plugs and a pull-start cord, but the piece of equipment *next* to it in the photo at the bottom of this page does:
http://www.fiddlersfestival.com/garry_steel.htm
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by Tish
Re: Stroh Violin
The foregoing word pictures when stripped of their flippancy, well describe the sound of a 'Stroh'.
The CD 'Music of the Fiddle - Volume 5' features Ron Gonnella playing tunes on the fiddles of Gow, Marshall and Skinner. The Skinner fiddle is of course his Stroh', now owned by W.R. Junner of Strachan, Banchory. Details are: Ross Records, Turriff, Aberdeenshire CDTHIS 005.
Some of the recordings by Scott Skinner on the CD, 'The Strathspey King' (listed here on theSession), are played on the 'Stroh' too. Not a high fidelity recording, but nevertheless a very interesting one that brings you back to earth in a hurry, if the ego has gone a tad out of control.
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by scraper
Re: Stroh Violin
The track details for 'Music of the Fiddle - Volume 5' have now been posted to the 'Recordings' section.
# Posted on November 20th 2003 by scraper
Re: Stroh Violin
Tish, good one! Made me chuckle!
G'day!
# Posted on November 21st 2003 by Robby B.
Re: Stroh Violin
Heard one being played on TV a while back, on some one-off musical antiquities program. It sounded pretty grim through the TV speakers, so I imagine it would be infinitely worse in real life. Only recommended for those with tin ears.
Very apt description, Mr Michael! Like it. In the words of Diamond Dublin geezer, "Fookin' shoite, dat is!!!"
Jim
# Posted on November 21st 2003 by Worldfiddler
Re: Stroh Violin
G'Day, Robby!
Actually, to be honest, I've heard that stroh viol used for an act where as far as the music is concerned any sort of miked/pick-upped violin probably would do, but the appearance of the thing is important to the act. Under those conditions (and with a very experienced operator) it sounds pretty good, but then of course you're not hearing the acoustics of the thing itself, only what the pick-up picks up.
# Posted on November 21st 2003 by Tish
Re: Stroh Violin
Hi All,
We borrowed one about a month ago from a friend, stuck some strings on it, photographed it and made a recording. When I first saw this beastie I was a bit sceptical about the sound, but it's not as bad as you'd think. It had a big trumpet and a smaller one so the player could hear in noisy surroundings.
Have a look and see what you think: go to http://www.danceofdelight.com then follow the link top right to "more about Instruments" and you'll find it on the "unusual violins" link.
Enjoy!!
Mark
# Posted on November 25th 2003 by Mark Harmer
Re: Stroh Violin
Thanks for the sound clip, Mark. Very interesting.
# Posted on November 26th 2003 by RG
Re: Stroh Violin
I live in Antwerp and for the last two years buskers from Eastern Europe have been playing Stroh vioins on the streets.How do they sound? Like an old tin cylinder recording.
# Posted on March 1st 2003 by dafydd
Re: Stroh Violin
anyone know where to buy cheap ones in the uk?
# Posted on March 5th 2004 by Choonz
Re: Stroh Violin
oh yea and more recordings?
# Posted on March 5th 2004 by Choonz