Otto, Jacob Augustus

   , born at Gotha, 1762, died 1830. Author of the celebrated Book on the Construction of the Violin. He made some good instruments which, in his book he says he "proved" by a machine which played them in thirds, fourths, and fifths for a continued period, thus mellowing and perfecting the tone. We do not believe in this doctrine. From all past experience, there can be no doubt that whatever pains or trouble a maker may take to bring his instruments, while new, to bear the character of old, his labour is quite useless. There is no instance of an instrument becoming famous for its fine tone till it had attained a good old age. Some modern makers use chemical means to mature their violins; but this process is utterly destructive to them, as they become quite rotten through the action of the acid after a lapse of years. Time alone can ripen and mellow all musical instruments made of wood, the violin and the organ especially.