what type of wood are violins made of

What kinds of wood is a violin made of?

• Maple. Maple is a hardwood that has been commonly used for musical instruments and wooden products. ...
• Spruce. Spruce is a softwood that is great for making musical soundboards. ...
• Ebony. Black and Dense, Ebony is a hardwood with greatly fine texture. ...
• Boxwood. Boxwood has many varieties. ...
• Willow. Willow is also best for the internal blocks and lining. ...
• Rosewood. ...

Full Answer

What type of wood is used in a viola?

Wood for violin, viola, and cello tops is always spruce, and nearly always two pieces, having a glue joint down the center. The wood comes out of the tree in a split wedge, rather like a piece of firewood. This wedge is then cut down the middle, opened up like a book, and glued.

What kind of wood are violas made of?

To craft fine violins, violas and cellos, violinmakers require hard, strong and dense wood. Maple, Spruce and Ebony do the trick. There are a variety of woods used for making fine violins, including Maple, Spruce, Ebony, Boxwood, Willow, Poplar and Rosewood.Old growth trees from higher altitudes are preferable to violinmakers because the wood is harder, stronger and denser.

What kind of wood were Stanley violins made of?

The back, or bottom, of the violin and the ribs that form the sides and give the instrument depth, are often made from maple. Like spruce, maple is dense and strong. As you would expect, both types of wood are great at conducting sound. The Neck, Fingerboard – and More. Maple is also the wood of choice for the violin’s neck.

Which woodwind instrument is made of silver rather than wood?

The woodwind family of instruments includes these 6 major instruments:

• Flutes and piccolos
• Saxophones
• Clarinets
• Oboes
• Bassoons
• English horns

What kind of wood is a Stradivarius violin made of?

The woods used included spruce for the top, willow for the internal blocks and linings, and maple for the back, ribs, and neck. Stradivari and Guarneri's violins differ in their tonal quality, like red or white wine.

What were old violins made of?

It all started with animal intestines Roughly 300-years ago, the strings for most bowed instruments – violin, harp, cello, and some bowed instruments you've never heard of - were made from animal intestines.

What is a good violin made of?

In a quality violin, typically the sides (ribs) and neck are crafted from Maple wood, which is another strong material that resonates well, while maintaining its structural integrity.

What are cheap violins made of?

Issues with a Cheap Violin Under $100 The fittings are normally made of plastic and don't fit half the time (chin rest, pegs, tail piece etc.). You'll pay a lot of money to fix problems—you'll probably end up just getting a new one. The sound quality is incredibly bad.

Are cat guts still used for violin strings?

Also known as catgut, the earliest gut strings were found on instruments in ancient Egypt, and many players today continue to value them for their sweetness and warmth.

Are cat guts used for violin strings?

catgut, tough cord made from the intestines of certain animals, particularly sheep, and used for surgical ligatures and sutures, for the strings of violins and related instruments, and for the strings of tennis rackets and archery bows.

Which wood is best for violin?

The most commonly used wood species for violin manufacture are spruce, willow, maple, ebony and rosewood. In general, maple is used for back plate, rib, neck and scroll, while spruce is an ideal wood for the front plate of a violin.

What makes violin expensive?

Geographical origin is the most important thing (Italian violins sell for at least six times the price of a comparable French or English violin, and German violins lag far behind). The other factors would be the quality of the craftsmanship (how well regarded the maker is) and the age of the instrument.

Are old violins worth money?

It could still have substantial value, as a professional with expertise in antique violins could reattach that part with little difficulty. Yet, you should keep in mind that these violins can range anywhere in the lower thousands to the hundreds of thousands of dollars range, and in some cases, the millions.

Are Chinese made violins any good?

Fine Violin Making in China In addition to high-quality and affordable student instruments, individual Chinese violin makers also continue to develop a reputation for making fine instruments for advanced and professional players.

How can you tell if a violin is plywood?

You can tell a plywood instrument by looking at the edges of top and back. Spruce is what TOPS are made of, because it works. Backs, ribs and necks are maple. Plywood is two or more layers glued together which may not even be the same kind of wood and may not have the grain of all layers running the same way.

How expensive is a Stradivarius violin?

between $8 million and $20 millionStradivari's violins are known for their exquisite craftsmanship. They cost between $8 million and $20 million, according to Leonhard.

Are old violins worth anything?

It could still have substantial value, as a professional with expertise in antique violins could reattach that part with little difficulty. Yet, you should keep in mind that these violins can range anywhere in the lower thousands to the hundreds of thousands of dollars range, and in some cases, the millions.

How can you tell if a violin is vintage?

The first way to tell if your instrument is old (modern), old (actually old) or fake old, is to look for a neck graft. Old violins (and violas and cellos) have neck grafts because they were crafted in an era when instruments had shorter necks.

What is an old violin called?

The Arabian rabab and the rebec, which came from the orient in the middle ages and was played widely in Spain and France in the fifteenth century, are said to be the ancestors of the violin.

What should I look for in an antique violin?

How do I know if my violin is worth money?Flame of the Wood. The back of the violin is a good indicator of the quality of the instrument. ... Craftsmanship. The craftsmanship of the violin is the greatest indicator of the quality of an instrument. ... Label. ... Sound and Ease of Playing. ... Materials.

What wood do violin makers use?

To craft fine violins, violas and cellos, violinmakers require hard, strong and dense wood. Maple, Spruce and Ebony do the trick. There are a variety of woods used for making fine violins, including Maple, Spruce, Ebony, Boxwood, Willow, Poplar and Rosewood.

What wood is best for violins?

Visually, spruce has fine vertical grains that appear on the front of the violin. Spruce or Willow is also best for the internal blocks and lining. Fingerboards, pegs, tailpieces and end pins need to be made out of a dense hardwood, commonly Ebony. Of all hardwoods, Ebony is the strongest, and its black coloring is desirable to create the look ...

What wood is used for violin strings?

Spruce is a soft tonewood with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio and is used for the top, or front, of the violin, as well as the bass bar and sound posts. When the strings vibrate sound waves into the body of the violin, a quality spruce top is imperative for optimal acoustics. Visually, spruce has fine vertical grains that appear on the front ...

Why are violin makers preferable to old growth trees?

Old growth trees from higher altitudes are preferable to violinmakers because the wood is harder, stronger and denser. Trees are chopped down in the winter months and seasoned by cutting billets and storing them in a cool place for many years.

What is the best wood for a scroll?

This drying / aging process preserves the cell structure in the wood and eliminates deposits of moisture, compacting the wood. Maple, or sometimes Poplar, is used for the back, ribs, neck, bridge and scroll. Maple from the Yugoslav region of Europe is considered the best, because it is known to be lighter than American Maple.

What is the wood used for violins?

Violins and string instruments are made out of Spruce wood for the top, Maple for the bottom, and neck. This choice of wood is made for sound. The fingerboard is made out of Ebony for its sturdiness. Then, accessories such as pegs, tailpiece, and chin rest are made out of Ebony, Rosewood, Maple, or even Boxwood. Some parts such as the chin rest and button are even made out of synthetics materials now.

Why are the top and bottom of the violin made of different woods?

That is why the top and the bottom of the violin are made out of different woods, with different physical thus tonal qualities, in order to amplify low-pitched notes as well as high-pitched ones.

What is a chin rest made of?

The chin rest can be made out of many materials. Chinrests are not important for the sound. It has to be comfortable, sturdy, not allergenicity because it will be in contact with the chin for many hours. It used to be principally made out of ebony; now it can be made out of synthetic materials more often for their price and weight. Sometimes Rosewood or Boxwood is chosen for aesthetics (and coordinated colors with the tailpiece and pegs).

What is the fingerboard of a violin made of?

The fingerboard of a violin is usually made of Ebony. Ebony is a wood that is:

What is the soundpost on a violin?

It supports the tension between the top and the bottom of the instrument, but it also transmits the treble high-pitched frequencies to the bottom part of the violin.

What wood is used for soundposts?

The soundpost is turned out off a piece of spruce, which is light though rigid and dense enough for the purpose. The type of wood is not as important as the diameter of the soundpost. The smaller the diameter, the more medium and low is amplified. But spruce is always the choice of wood.

What is the bridge on a violin?

The bridge is the last important part of the violin sound-wise. It supports the tension of the strings and transmits the vibrations to the top table and the bottom of the violin. So it needs to be dense and strong.

What wood do violins use?

Violin makers also like ebony because of its pleasing hue, but sometimes use another type of wood and stain or paint it to look like ebony. Fixed below the neck is a small, carefully crafted piece of maple that forms the bridge.

What is the back of a violin made of?

The back, or bottom, of the violin and the ribs that form the sides and give the instrument depth, are often made from maple. Like spruce, maple is dense and strong. As you would expect, both types of wood are great at conducting sound.

What is the chin rest on a violin made of?

Typically, the chin rest, scroll box, and pegs are made of ebony or another type of hardwood. Anchoring the strings to the top of the violin is a tailpiece.

What wood is used for violin neck?

The Neck, Fingerboard – and More. Maple is also the wood of choice for the violin’s neck. Laid on top of the neck is the fingerboard. Ebony is the preferred wood for fingerboards because it’s hard enough to take the repeated hammering of a musician’s fingers.

What are violin strings made of?

A violin has fittings, such as tuning pegs, that can be made of wood or other materials, including plastics. This is an oversimplified view.

What is the largest section of a violin?

The largest section of the instrument, a violin’s body, or “corpus” (you don’t need to be fluent in Latin to make the translation), is actually several parts. The “top,” in which the soundholes or “f-holes” are cut, is typically made of spruce. Spruce is favored because of its density.

Can a violin stick be made of wood?

While superior in resonance quality, gut strings are not as durable as the modern steel or synthetic versions. No violin of any quality is useful without a bow. The stick can be made from different types of wood, but composites such as fiberglass and carbon-fiber are popular choices.

Storing materials 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

The wood that will eventually be used to make a violin is stored in a temperature and humidity controlled room 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to preserve the moisture in the wood.

Top plate materials come from fir trees

Top plate materials come from the resonant and light, but hard, spruce tree, which is a type of pine tree in the fir family. The spruce looks like the type of fir trees that are used as Christmas trees. Strong pieces in which the fibers run straight are selected, and a hatchet is used to split it so that the fibers are not cut.

Matching two symmetrical trapezoids

When cutting material from a tree, the outer portion where the age rings are denser is cut thicker, which forms a trapezoid as shown in the diagram. When the left and right sides are put together, the outer portion, which is the hardest portion because of the denser age rings, falls in the middle, where the bridge is placed.

Craftsmanship is also important!

Maple is used for the bottom and side plates because of its beautiful wood grain pattern. Practical considerations are not the only concern. Craftsmanship is also important.

What wood is used for violins?

The most commonly used wood species for violin manufacture are spruce, willow, maple, ebony and rosewood. In general, maple is used for back plate, rib, neck and scroll, while spruce is an ideal wood for the front plate of a violin. Matching quarter sawn spruce such as European spruce (Picea abies) or Engelman spruce (Picea engelmannii) ...

Where was the first violin made?

The first true violins were manufactured by Andrea Amati in Cremona, Italy, in the 15th century. During the next 160 years or so, other famous violin-maker families, including Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri and several others, put the violin on a high level in terms of its acoustical performance and artwork.

How many violin makers are there in the US?

According to the Federation of Violin Makers, there are around 170 violin makers in the United States and Canada. Many of them produce world-class violins for famous orchestras and concert violinists. There also is one violin maker in Oklahoma, owned by Arsenios Corbishley who has a degree in cello performance.

What is the most popular instrument in the string group?

Violin is one of the most popular instruments within the string group. Manufacturing of violins requires very precise craftsmanship. Selection of different types of wood species for different parts, aging of wood, using natural glues and ingredients in the varnish are some of the main aspects of producing a good violin.

Why does my violin make a sound?

The sound heard from a violin is the result of air vibrating and released out of “f” holes in the instrument. Therefore, the wood of the instrument should be light and resonant. On the other hand, if wood is too light and weak, it will not resist the tension of four strings and easily collapse.

Why do violins need to be dried?

As known, wood being porous and hygroscopic material, needs to be dried to reduce its moisture content for an effective use for a final product. In the case of indoor or outdoor utilization of the wood, ...

What is the most important part of a violin?

The front plate is probably the most important part of the violin, influencing overall sound quality. Spruce has unique acoustic characteristics with uniform grain orientation. Most of the violin makers would like to have wood harvested from old growth trees in high altitudes.

What wood is used for violin bows?

Traditionally, violin bows are constructed using Pernambuco. Don’t be confused if you have heard Brazilwood— these are actually from the same tree. The difference is that the Pernambuco wood is removed from the core of the tree. It is easier to work and shape and more durable.

What are violin bow strings made of?

Of course, the wood for the bow itself is just a small part of the whole and plays a supporting role. It’s the hair that is strung across it that helps you produce music. While there are some bows that use synthetic string, horsehair is the traditional and best solution.

How much is a bow for a violin?

Depending on the material the bow was made from, expect to typically pay anywhere between $50 and $200. Some professional bows can even be worth more than the instrument!

How much does it cost to re-hair a violin bow?

This may be where the rub lies for most people. Re-hairing will cost between $30 and $50 in the United States. Considering that you can often get a new bow for that price, restringing might not be regarded as worthwhile.

Can you rest a violin bow?

Yes, a viol in bow can be restrung, and in fact, should be restrung from time to time. How often this is to be done depends on how often you play, whether or not you break strings, etc.

What wood is used in Cremona violins?

A recent study performed on a Stradivari as well as fellow Cremona luthier Giuseppe Guarneri’s violins was performed. The maple and spruce wood used was found to be different than even the highest quality modern wood. The Little Ice Age’s cold produced a denser wood and the much colder climate produced a much more consistent grain. The wood was also chemically treated to ward off fungus and worms with a treatment containing aluminum, calcium, copper and a few other metals. The salts used in the treatment also hardened the already dense wood keeping moisture out of the wood. Stradivari’s violins held 25% less moisture which produces a more brilliant sound. It is unknown whether this was known at the time but either way the Cremona violins are able to produce a dark, rich bass tone and the ability to play at a high frequency that modern violins just can’t match.

Who was the violinist who developed his own style?

Stradivari began developing his own style while working for Amati and began to develop a growing reputation. When Amati died in 1684 Stradivari took in much of his business. He experimented with making different carvings to the wood, making a larger pattern and changing the varnish of the instrument. By 1700 he was producing the finest violins and continued to do so until his age began to take its toll around 1720. He continued producing high quality instruments until his death in 1737. His sons Francesco and Omobono worked in his shop and Francesco took over the business.

Where is the musical woods?

The forest known as Il Bosco Che Suona or The Musical Woods is located in the Fiemme Valley. A retired forest ranger, Marcello Mazzucchi, had a knack for being able to spot trees good for making musical instruments by drilling a core sample and observing the look of the tree.

Was the violin alive during the Ice Age?

The Stradivarious Violin. There is a good possibility that the reclaimed wood that is in your flooring was alive during the Little Ice Age . The change in the global climate caused millions to starve and thousands to cross the ocean looking for a fresh start.

The Body

The Neck, Fingerboard – and More

Strings and The Bow

Relatively Few Materials

• It should be noted that there are carbon-fiber violins available, but they do not dominate the market. For the most part, violins are made of wood, glue, and metal (mostly for the strings). Instruments made since the late 19th century have some plastic and other synthetics. For violins hand-crafted by a luthier, you can add in lots of patience and ...

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