Rutherford backscattering analysis (RBS) combined with proton-induced x-ray emission measurements was used to determine the elemental composition of wood and varnish of old musical instruments. One of the limitations of the RBS method was that the depth of analysis was only about 10-15 mu, whereas x-ray analysis probed the material to a depth of about 100 mu; however, RBS measurements had the advantage of giving quantitative information on the amounts of different elements See <i>AATA 17-1150 and 17-1164. -- AATA