Wood Selection Directory Page...
Modified Last:3/2021
Page WS_001/010
By David Langsather, webmaster: www.violinresearch.com
..I remember that a famous violin expert was asked what he thought was the most important factor in the success of a violin.
..He said: 'The wood'.
..I believe that the following six subjects will help define how we might select wood that will give the possibility of an exceptional performing violin with fine Timbre. If you choose your wood through these filters, I believe you will have selected excellently paired, quality wood for your instrument....
..These are placed in suggested order of screening; just click on subject to go to special directory for each subject.....
..Several other interesting, related violin wood videos and / or Print Articles. (just click to go there: ........)
(3) Tones of Wood:
Tap // Rub // Wood
(in two parts:...)
..If the piece of tone wood is not on the "Wood Tone" scale, reject it.
..This will eliminate about 30% of the wood you look at.
..If the piece of tone wood is not within the # 21 - # 23 "Rub Tone" range, reject it.
..This will eliminate about 70% of the wood you look at. ...At the least, get all the wood pieces of your instrument as close to # 22 as possible.
..Be sure the piece of wood is at least above the minimum levels for the wood variety.
..To use a "below minimal standard" piece of tone wood will lower the instruments' performance so as to make it unacceptable.
..What you are looking for here is to keep the "Spruce to Maple Wood" density ratio to about 0.64. Less dense spruce needs less dense maple.
..This is a technique to match Spruce top wood that will sound good when vibrating with a certain piece of maple back wood. You will probably have less Maple, so you might pick out your Back plate maple and then match it to the best available spruce top wood .
..This can be the final selection tool {If you still have choices left!} , or an ideal method to select accessory pieces, such as fingerboards, tailpieces, nut, saddle, end pin and chin rest. Remember to also shoot for # 22 rub tone on these parts.
