In the spirit of causing problems and making trouble.......:-)
Here we go.
Is the amount of texture in new instruments (top and Back) an area where makers and buyers have different opinions and tastes regarding the amount of corduroy texture on the top and flame texture on the back? I have seen instruments new and old with vastly different amounts. I always think of the Messiah Strad as being about right. Many super expensive instruments have had the crap polished out of them so it is pretty hard to tell their original state.
On another tack I have noticed that classical guitar makers strive for a perfect flawless shiny finish , I don't think they do antiqued work, but I really do not know.
I guess it is all just a matter of taste and it really makes little difference to the sound, but I would like to know what sort of a finish is looked for in competitions and buy our brain trust here.
Mostly I just want to talk about fiddles!
DLB