Corners...
If you look inside two or three Basses with the Tops off you will see the inner space where the linings curve up to the blocks and with the general inner contour you will see that the shape inside is almost the same on all these models. The Violin model has some steeper curves into the corners but that is about it. Gamba and Busetto are more similar. There isn't that much difference except that the beauty of the Violin form causes extra bends of the ribs possible making the Bass stiffer.
The only shape that makes a huge difference I think is the Cornerless/guitar design with no corners or blocks at all. This pattern vibrates more freely followed by the Gamba and then the Violin model.
When a Bass is 100-200 years old, it has 'shook' itself loose fairly well and vibrates more freely, hopefully! You must compare Basses of similar model, size, age and Back construction in order to single out the Corners to make comparisons. With so many variables, who's to say where the differences are coming from?
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