Greetings,

I am currently working on a project that involves the conservation and
reconstruction
of instruments, in particular those of the violin family.  There is, of
course, much
information on techniques, etc. for preserving these instruments so that is
not a
concern.  My question,then, concerns the changes in the instrument's tone due
to treatments.  While everyone likes to see a "pretty" violin, should a
conservator
be more concerned with the violin's sound than appearance?  Since museum
patrons are not going to pick up that Strad in the case and play it, perhaps
appearance is more important?

I'm very interested in everyone's opinion!

Thanks,
Micki Weltzin