I thought I would post up a link to an interesting article I read today about the science of sound and Stradivarius violins.
http://www.tamu.edu/univrel/aggiedai...090899-11.html
While this is not meant as a dis to any of today's custom trumpet builders, I do think that it is interesting the similarities we can draw from a comparison to Stradivarius violins as depicted in the article.
Just as an overview, the article basically says that while Stradivarius violins do in fact have a good, classic tone and sound, they aren't always the best (Guarneri violins were equally as good in sound, yet quite a bit less expensive...enough said on that!
) and that much of what they are today was started long ago by the mystique that Antonio Stradivari was able to cast over his instruments.
Anyway, I enjoyed the article and immediately drew a couple of comparisons to some modern day trumpet makers, and I thought that you would enjoy the article too.