Quantitative analyses of musical instrument ashes.

Analyses were carried out on a Cameca sx50 electron microprobe equipped with four WDS spectrometers. All analyses were performed with a 15 kV, 10 nA, 20 µm diameter beam; standardization and standard checks using well-characterized reference materials were done before each analytical session. The numbers represent average wt% values, normalized to 100%; number of sites analyzed is in parentheses. SD: standard deviation. It is customary to present the values as oxides. The lower limit of detection (LLD) for each element or oxide is given at the top of the table. Abbreviations: Guarneri designates the ash of the early Guarneri violin, Gand-Bern that of the Gand-Bernardel violin.