The type of wood used by modern violin makers to make their instruments is identical to the one used by Stradivari. As a matter of fact, experience of the masters of the past has recognized two species as most adapted to this craft: maple for the back, and spruce for the top.

Maple is famous all over the world for its leaf, symbol of Canada. It is easily identified by the "flames", part of its beauty. The maple we use usually comes from the Balkans.

They were other types of wood used for the back of the violin..in antique instruments, woods like poplar, willow, walnut, and fruit trees like pear, were found.

Spruce is almost always used for the top, except in rare occasions when replaced by cedar. Spruce has the best ratio resistence - weight and the best acoustic quality. The best spruce comes from the Dolomiti mountains in Italy.

But the quality of wood is not all, it needs to be cut in a correct way. There are two cuts: radial and tangential.

Spruce will be used best when radially cut. For the back, sometimes tangential cut is found. Both back and top have to be of the best quality. The task of a good violin maker is to be able to choose the best quality. The maker's sensivity, based on years of experience, will use the raw material at its best. Wood seasoning takes place in a dry and ventilated space over a period of minimum 10 years. Old and well-seasoned wood will sound best! The other woods used are ebony for the fingerboard (its hardness resists well to the finger & string "hammering"!) Fittings (pegs, tailpiece, chinrest) can be of ebony, rosewood, or boxwood according to the musician's personal taste.