Maple

In violin building, sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L) is used for the back, ribs and neck. It is available with exquisite grain that runs obliquely in the direction of its growth called FLAMMEN or RIEGEL. This effect is produced by the wave-like growth. The maple used in violin making is brought from mountainous regions where the trees grow slowly and more evenly resulting in wood that is more firm. As sycamore maple also grows in the lowlands, nice specimens can be found there occasionally, especially in Bosnia.