What is the consequence of a violin without varnish?

August 23, 2014 at 09:03 PM · "A violin without varnish is like a cake without frosting."

-S.P.

August 23, 2014 at 09:33 PM · "A violin without varnish is like a vacuum cleaner. It is a dirt magnet."

-LR

August 23, 2014 at 09:53 PM · "A violin without varnish is better than a viola without varnish"

-S.P.

August 23, 2014 at 10:07 PM · Given that a major purpose of varnish is to protect the wood, I think that Angga was really asking what are the significant tonal differences between unvarnished and varnished, especially oil or spirit varnish that has been skillfully applied by a craftsman. I don't think we're talking about the bullet-proof stuff at the lower end of the market - that probably does deaden whatever vestiges of tone that may have been present in the first place.

I'd like to know as well.

August 24, 2014 at 12:43 AM · I usually string up my violins in the white and play them for a week or two before varnishing, just to see what the differences are.

Without varnish, there is a rough/raw quality, which I attribute to not having enough damping in the midrange resonances (high peaks and low dips in the response). There are some other minor changes, but that's the main one that I notice. Thicker varnish probably would do more; I try to keep it thin.

August 24, 2014 at 12:52 AM · I've read some scientific studies of violin response spectra before and after the application of high quality varnish.

Basically, some of the fundamental resonances can shift by a measurable amount, but not enough to actually "hear" a difference while playing.

Some people claim to hear a difference, but the frequency shifts are smaller than what most people can physically detect.

OTOH, applying a thick coat of urethane with an industrial spray gun to a VSO is said to both significantly improve its sound and make it dishwasher safe. Good for removing rosin build up caused by adolescent students forgetting to wipe down the instrument after each practice.

August 24, 2014 at 09:23 AM · General feedback from those who string up their instruments before varnishing (I don't) is that the violins are louder, rougher and less refined sounding before varnishing. Some have preferred the sound before varnishing, versus after, calling varnish "a necessary evil". All this will be highly dependent on the nature of the varnish and the varnishing system used though, and probably also on choices made during construction. For instance, a violin which is physically weak might undergo major improvement after being varnished, using a varnish which acts as a stiffener more than other varnishes.

August 26, 2014 at 07:34 AM · "Does a violin without varnish really matter?"

It will get grubby, and be difficult to clean!