Re: new Brahms string quintets album

Todd: "I suppose that's a factor in my enjoyment of their sound?  It's
kind of hard to say, in any really linear sense, since as you say,
the instruments have generally been modified...."
I have no doubt you can hear the particularities of these long-lived
instruments in a live performance, and perhaps on a very good sound
system. Otherwise all I can say is you will hear that these four guys
are very happy with the instruments they lucked into.
As I suggested, a pre-1700 fiddle has eperienced so many modifications
and repairs I would be bet fifty percent of the hardware is modern.
Also, there are very good instruments being made both in Europe and the
USA and other places today. In a blind test today's best instruments
often win over Strads and the like... One of the best contemporary viola
luthiers lives in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Ann Arbor, Michigan used to be a
veritable violin makers hub.
Don't get me started...