SCP-[#]

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.1
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