This violin is very responsive with a great tone. It is the result of trying a lot of different things on one fiddle. The first thing you notice is the alternative woods that were used. The back is made from Camphor Burl with a strip of flamed maple down the center. The top is made from curly Redwood with the edges banded in curly maple to protect the soft edges. The ribs taper from a high of 36mm on the lower bass side bout to 28mm on the upper treble side bout. once all the rules were out the window, it was easy to get carried away with the scroll, peg box, and other parts and pieces of this violin. Tail piece and finger board are a high quality ebony, and the nut and saddle are ivory.