CHOOSING THE MATERIAL
Willow
Salix nigra
Used for ribs and back, it is a light, durable wood with a characteristic pink colour, usually chosen and much prized for cellos since the early days of lutherie in Cremona. It develops a prompt, powerful sound, rich in bass and soft harmonics.
Cipressino poplar
Populus nigra
Used for ribs and back, it is a typical wood from the Po River, light, straw-coloured, chosen and much prized for cellos, violas and double basses since the early days of lutherie in Cremona. It develops a sound with a warm timbre, powerful and rich in low harmonics.
Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus
The most traditional of the woods chosen by violin maker for the construction of ribs, back and neck: with its typical marbling, it is very versatile in terms of timbre, both in terms of power and richness of harmonics.
Pear tree
Pyrus
Rarely used in classical lutherie, it is a wood with a characteristic pinkish-brown colour, chosen for the back, sides and head of cellos and violas. It develops a powerful but above all warm and enveloping sound.
Italian Spruce
Picea abies
Indispensable for soundboard construction, this is the resonance wood par excellence and is used for the construction of all bowed instruments.