Restoring Old Instruments

[james turner]

I would appreciate the advise of PTG members on the proper way to
restore old and antique musicial instruments.  Does the  PTG believe
that all old musicial instruments should be restored 100% originial as
they were made in the factory?  Or is it proper to "alter" the originial
design of a old instrument? 
 
I ask this because in adition to tuning pianos, I restore old reed
(pump) organs.  The Reed Organ Society has a monthly magazine and a
internet list which I belong.  I recently posted that I tune reed organs
to A-440 (most were tuned to around A-435). Not one reed organ
technician thought it was proper at all to tune them to A-440, but they
said they should be left at their originial pitch.    

I got all kinds of "hate" mail from the purists for  daring to alter the
design of these valuable instruments from their originial design.  I
mentioned I sometimes do a few other alterations to make them a better
instrument.  Well, I have been sick over this since because I have no
desire to harm the historic value of any old antique.  

Please tell me what some of you technicians feel about this.  If reed
organs should not be altered or changed in any way, wouldn't this apply
to all anitique musicial instruments as well as pipe organs,  old
radios, old wind up phonographs and even furniture? 

The purists  believe that everything should stay the same on restoring
old antiques.  What is the general thinking on this today and where do
we draw the line.  

Thanks

Jim Turner