My wife and I visited the Musical Instrument museum several years ago. On our introduction to the lobby area where the octobass is displayed the volunteer told us “when you play the instrument, these levers are used to select the notes”. Taking her at her word, I innocently ascended the step and plucked a few notes on the (very large) strings. If I didn’t know better, I would think I had tried to take the Hope Diamond or something! Several security people entered the room and, with some very salty language, asked me what I thought I was doing. In my baptismal innocence, I parroted what the volunteer had told me. Were it not for the “Do Not Touch” sign being completely missing, I probably would still be languishing in some work farm in Greenland to this day. My wife was beside herself with embarrassment and made me hold her hand the rest of our visit. I did break away once to touch SRV’s guitar though. (In spite)