Man Spends $422 on Weird Violin That's Not Even Louder
Ever bought something online that didn't live up to the hype? You'll relate.
When he was in college, the author learned about the Stroh violin, a type of violin that uses a metal horn and a membrane to amplify sound instead of a wooden body. He thought it would be perfect for playing folk music outdoors, where a regular violin might be too quiet. Years later, he decided to buy one. After a failed attempt to purchase from a store, he found one on eBay for $422.73—about 11 weeks of his discretionary spending.
The instrument arrived, but it was awkwardly shaped and not very good. The tuning pegs slipped, and the sound was tinny. But the biggest disappointment was that it wasn't actually much louder than a normal violin. The author had misunderstood claims that it was "2x louder"—he didn't realize that loudness is perceived logarithmically, so doubling the sound power doesn't double the perceived volume.
Despite the letdown, the Stroh violin has seen some use. His sister played it at an outdoor dance in Davis Square, and he once tried to attach rocks as a counterweight (which didn't work). Mostly, it hangs on the wall, where guests ask about it—and then ask him to stop playing it. The story is a humorous reminder that sometimes our expectations don't match reality, especially when it comes to niche purchases.
- The Stroh violin uses a horn and membrane to amplify sound, but it's not significantly louder than a regular violin.
- The author spent $422.73 on eBay for one, only to find it had issues like slipping tuning pegs and tinny sound.
- It now serves as a wall decoration and occasional conversation starter, though its playing is often discouraged.
Why It Matters
A funny reminder that niche gadgets often disappoint—and that 'twice as loud' isn't what it seems.