Item #: [#]
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-[#]-1 and SCP-[#]-2 are to be kept shut and locked except during approved experimentation. Personnel are not to enter either instance of SCP-[#]. SCP-[#] are harmless when closed and so may be stored wherever appropriate.
Description: SCP-[#] consist of a pair of identical intricately-crafted double bass cases, SCP-[#]-1 and SCP-[#]-2, both made of wood and reinforced with iron straps. Whenever any item is inserted into SCP-[#]-1 and the door thereof is closed, the item appears to be destroyed, but will appear inside SCP-[#]-2 as soon as its door is opened. Objects transferred in this manner are often modified; it is unknown how SCP-[#] perform this modification, or what, if any, criteria are used to determine which objects to modify.
SCP-[#]-1 was located and recovered by Agent ██████████ in Sydney, Australia, following a string of reports of double bass thefts and one abduction case. It was discovered that the instruments (and an infant) had been placed inside of SCP-[#]-1, resulting in their being transferred to SCP-[#]-2, creating the appearance of a theft. SCP-[#]-1 was promptly seized and moved to Site 19. The existence of SCP-[#]-2 was considered likely given the behavior of objects placed inside SCP-[#]-1. In order to determine its location, on the assumption that it existed, a standard GPS transponder was admitted to SCP-[#]-1. Three months later, the GPS transponder abruptly started transmitting data to the Foundation, indicating its location in a public school in Svalbard. Agents then retrieved SCP-[#]-2 and transported it to Site 19 without incident.
It is currently believed that SCP-[#] were created by Antonio Stradivari, due mainly to analysis of their craftsmanship. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the items were created in late 1737, the year of Stradivari's death. It is unknown why Stradivari would manufacture cases for the double bass, as he did not build the instruments themselves. See Addendum I.
Addendum I: In the course of Experiment [#]-L, a printout of the experiment briefing was inadvertently admitted to SCP-[#]-1 and transferred along with the other test items. When researchers opened the door of SCP-[#]-2, this paper, bearing ornate Italian script, was observed tacked to the inside of the case door. It read:
Per mio figlio, Omobono Stradivari.
Continuare il mio lavoro in mia assenza.
Solo allora posso perdonare la vostra.
English translation:
To my son, Omobono Stradivari.
Continue my work in my absence.
Only then can I forgive yours.
This evidence strongly suggests that the cases were created by Antonio Stradivari in a final effort to persuade his son Omobono to remain in the luthier's trade. Omobono left the Stradivari home at the age of eighteen, presumably the unforgivable absence referred to by the elder Stradivari. Further attempts to communicate with SCP-[#] have failed, producing minor variations on this note every time paper is transferred.
Experiments
Experiment [#]-A
Input to SCP-[#]-1: One violin, mass 0.40 kg. "Experiment [#]-A Sample 1" has been inscribed on the body in permanent marker.
Result from SCP-[#]-2: Identical violin, massing 0.40 kg. Inscription remains.
Researcher's Notes: Upon closing of the door of SCP-[#]-1, its mass decreased by 0.4 kilograms. SCP-[#]-2 was open at this time, and its mass did not change. SCP-[#]-1 was opened, and found to be empty. When the door of SCP-[#]-2 was closed, its mass abruptly increased by 0.4 kilograms.
Experiment [#]-B
Input: One violin, mass 0.42 kg; GPS logger-transponder; video camera.
Result: Wood-bodied theremin, mass 0.65 kg.
Notes: SCP-[#] are apparently able to construct instruments of radically different forms than the input.
Experiment [#]-C
Input: One violin, tuned as a viola, mass 0.41 kg.
Result: Viola, mass 0.41 kg.
Notes: Expected mass of resultant viola was 0.5-0.7 kg. Mass appears to be conserved by this operation.
Experiment [#]-D
Input: One violin, strung with segments of cello string and tuned as a cello, mass 0.42 kg.
Result: Cello.
Notes: Upon attempted removal from SCP-[#]-2, instrument crumbled into sawdust, presumably due to low structural integrity. Total mass of sawdust measured at 0.42 kg; expected mass of cello 3-5 kg. Results consistent with results of Experiment [#]-C.
Experiment [#]-E
Input: D-5528, D-class personnel with extensive history of musical training, mass 67.2 kg.
Result: No discernible change to D-5528. See Interview Log [#]-01.
Notes: Interview was uninformative. D-5528's mass remained 67.2 kg.
Experiment [#]-F
Input: D-6093, D-class personnel with no history of musical training, mass 72.7 kg.
Result: One harp (mass 67.2 kg) and six small drums (average mass 0.92 kg).
Notes: Examination reveals harp is constructed of bone and catgut, drums of bone, tendon and skin. DNA testing confirms all tissue resulted from D-6093. Consistent with Experiment [#]-B. Subject's other tissues have not been located. fill the hollow structure of the harp, explaining its high mass.
Experiment [#]-G
Input: D-712, D-class personnel with no history of musical training, mass 70.3 kg.
Result: D-712, lacking teeth and indicating major abdominal pain (See Interview Log [#]-02); autopsy later revealed the presence of a miniature grand piano, approximately 24 cm wide and massing 2.1 kg, in subject’s lower abdominal cavity.
Notes: Piano is fully functional, although difficult to play given its size, and plays too high by a minor twenty-second. Examination of piano indicates it is constructed of tooth, catgut and bone. DNA testing confirms these samples were derived from D-712. On autopsy, mass of subject was determined to be 68.1 kg. Subject produced 1 L of fluid before expiring, total mass approximately 0.1 kg.
Experiment [#]-H
Input: Alto saxophone, mass 2.2 kg; brass sample, mass 0.8 kg.
Result: Tenor saxophone, mass 3.0 kg.
Notes: Consistent with Experiment [#]-B and Experiment [#]-C.
Experiment [#]-I
First Input: Double bass, mass 12.7 kg.
Second Input: Violin, mass 0.43 kg.
Result: Double bass, identical to first input, mass 13.1 kg.
Notes: Multiple consecutive inputs without removal of product denoted by separate Input entries in Experiment log. Examination of double bass revealed that its cavity contains a violin, identical to second input, accounting for mass discrepancy.
Experiment [#]-J
First Input: Analog wristwatch, mass 117 g. Read 4:04 PM at time of insertion.
Second Input: Analog wristwatch, mass 131 g. Read 4:11 PM at time of insertion.
Result: Two analog wristwatches, stacked but separable, mass 248 g.
Notes: Local time upon retrieval was 16:12:55. Upper watch read 4:04 PM, lower watch read 4:11 PM. Objects do not appear to experience passage of time while awaiting opening of SCP-[#]-2, explaining results of Interview [#]-01.
Experiment [#]-K
Input: Bagpipes, mass 3.6 kg.
Result: Bagpipes, mass 3.6 kg.
Notes: Scorch marks are apparent over most of the body of the instrument; the air sac appears to have been slashed and punctured several times, and the chanter is snapped into three pieces.