Telling musicians to evaluate and choose their instruments in a “scientific” way?

Especially acoustic string instruments, regardless of measurements, sound vastly different. And measurements, as in HiFi, only tell part of the story. They do not measure tone. In guitars (or violins), the artistry of the builder, method and materials have a great impact on tone. Brazilian rosewood has acoustic properties that make it vastly better sounding than East Indian rosewood. All woods used have a great impact on the ultimate sound. And the of the age of the cut is also significant. The older the better. Especially the age of the finished instrument. Eg.; a 1930s Martin Guitar can sound amazingly good and can sell for hundreds of thousands, mostly, because of the tone. Not to mention a violin of a great builder that is hundreds of years old! A new guitar, or violin, can also sound good but the tone will open up with playing. All these instruments will improve in tone the more they are played. This is also a central factor in old instruments. In comparison, quality of Audio gear is certainly dependent on skill, method and materials. But, aside from the break in, age can wear our certain elements like caps and bearings. However the “ear” of the builder is central to the ultimate tone of the component.
And, as said, the measurements only tell part of the story. They cannot measure the tone.

Another marvelous video, craftsman walking a stand of very special trees high in a mountain forest. He thumps on each one and you hear a unique sound, like so much different than any tree trunk you ever thumped you cannot believe it. Walks along thumping, thumping, until he finds the right tree.  

This one select tree is then cut down, aged, sawn into lumber, aged some more. Eventually years later some choice piece is selected and sawn by hand, shaped by hand, no machine tool touches it, ever. There is no guide, no rule that says it must be this thick here, that thick there. Nothing like that. Just the craftsman and his hand tools and his skill.   

They do not go to all this trouble to play a 440 A. They do this because such a fine musical instrument in the hands of a skilled performer can be made to bring tears to your eyes.    

If anyone can find that video I surely would appreciate a link. Thanks.

Millercarbon, this is a side of you I’ve never seen before, sensitive, artistic. Not tech stuff. Well done, I’d love to see these films.
And right on point.

@mglik , such a wonderful comment to add to the discussion. As a lover of classical music who attends live performances and also believes in reproducing music accurately at home, your words ring true. 

millercarbon make big show tough guy real soft considerate inside you just need get know maybe over tequila, bring good clean girl not like last time.