Specialists have solved the mystery of the unique sound of Stradivarius and Guarneri violins, Daily Mail writes.
In order to protect Instruments against parasites, the wood from which the violin is made was impregnated with a special chemical composition. It contained aluminum, borax, copper, lime water (calcium hydroxide solution), and zinc.
"Perhaps the masters realized that the salt they used gave the wood extra mechanical strength and acoustic advantage. They kept their methods secret because patents did not exist," said the researcher.
He noted that more research is needed to find out how chemicals affect the sound of violins.