On Caldersmith’s Measurements of Free Plates and Assembled Violins

Experimental data were measured by Caldersmith over many years and during different stages of the construction of several violins. Unfortunately, it seems that these valuable data were never published. From the personal notes of Caldersmith that were printed (where resonant frequency, mass, thickness, instrument model, etc., are listed), a possible link between resonant frequencies of free plates and their finished instruments was investigated. However, there is no evidence to support that such a link could be strong; thus the rigidity of the rib assembly of the violins may play a more important role than generally considered.