but it doesn't produce so many harmonics. Lopping off harmonics after the 3rd would probably be good. (Isn't the 3rd harmonic an octave and a fifth above the fundamental? That would actually help with tuning the instrument, as the next-higher string would resonate at that frequency)

When properly tuned, the violin will resonate at the pitch of the "A" and "E" strings when an excited tuning fork at 440 Hz is touched (not with the vibrating members of the fork) to any part of the instrument, but most markedly, to the bridge. Some sort of device that senses the vibration of the various strings might help in tuning the instrument. What's most important, however, is geting the "A" string right. After that, "D" and "G" are tuned below by a fifth each, which is readily noticeable by the obvious beat with the harmonic series when both strings are bowed, and the "E" is a fifth above, which, similarly, is easily heard.

Maybe some sort of Fourier anaysis would help?

RE