Old instruments also wear out and become unplayable (as do some modern ones!) Michaela Petrie reckons a recorder lasts her about 7 years before it's worn out.

Another issue is that while many of us can play a variety instruments there are many where even the correct tuning is lost - when faced with a 15 string bass-harp guitar (Spanish C17th) most of us would struggle and could do imeasurable damage.

A wonderful resource if you're interested in early instruments is David Munrow's box set of albums on the subject recorded by EMI in the early 1970's. I'll try and post details but a light-fingered 'friend' has lifted my copy. The background notes and photo's are superb but it may be a case of specialist LP suppliers as I don't think it's on CD.

All the best

Steve