Stroh violin - aluminum resonator
This instrument can be found under many names. Sometimes it is called Strohgeige, Phonofiddle, Resonatorgeige or Stroviolin and funnel violin. Actually, it's the name of the inventor - John Matthias Augustus Stroh. In 1899 he applied for a patent on the construction of this violin. At that time it was necessary to produce louder violins so that the instruments could be recorded on the then typically used wax plates. Stroh's solution was to transfer the gramophone principle to the violin. The bridge transmits the sound to a resonator, which is provided with a horn.
Our model is a "Tiebel violin", a variant, which was developed around 1925 by the engineer Willy Tiebel and the violin maker August Glaesel and has a second, small funnel. The larger of the two is aimed forward, towards the audience. The other is the first form of monitoring: it points in the direction of the ear, so that one hears oneself better.
Since this instrument is quite heavy even with aluminum components compared to the wooden violin, we lowered the horn for better comfort and thus shifted the center of gravity. In addition, we have provided the violin with a plate for standard shoulder rests. So it is much easier to hold the playing position for longer periods. Furthermore, we have changed the neck angle, so that the strings run with more pressure on the bridge, which provides more sound volume. Our newest iteration has been measured reaching 96 DeciBel while being played normally. The fittings are mounted on a shaft made of mulberry wood. Fingerboard and bridge have been finished according to standard violin finetuning.
With our newest verson, we have returned to standard ebony violin pegs. We have set it up using a Wittner tail piece with integrated fine tuners for all strings. The steel strings can be tuned comfortably and precisely. We deliver the instrument with medium strings form Prim. The shoulder rest is not included in the equipment supplied.
The instrument has a loud, slightly metallic sound - but listen for yourself:
