I have very little experience on the Violano, just helping a friend
to get his unit to good playing condition and hearing other Violanos
through the years. I tuned the piano strings only, and he did the
necessary work on the violin. The bow-wheels for the violin strings
have to be in excellent condition: good roundness and the correct
hardness, with good rosin adhered. The violin must also have a firm
bridge and balance, so as not to produce counter vibrations.
It took me some years to realize the Violano was unique, in the fact
that when playing the melody, a counter melody is sometimes also
featured, which the human hand cannot possibly achieve. In 1910 or so
when it was invented, it would never have reached the market place at
all if the so-called "screeching" was evident.
Brian does not firmly state whether he has heard the Violano 'live' or
not.
Stephen Bentley
Vancouver, British Columbia
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