There is a wide variety of timbers that can be used for the back and sides of musical instruments. It is the one areas where luthiers are free to experiment to good effect, and with increasing pressure on some of the more traditional species like rosewood, it makes a great deal of sense.

One of the most uniquely beautiful, not to mention oldest ( thousands of years, not hundreds!), is what we in the Far North call "Ancient " Kauri. However, Ancient Kauri varies considerably in colour, grain, density and strength, from one log to the next in alarming degrees, more than any other timber I have ever known. This makes selection tricky but the more highly figured samples tend, on average, to have a higher density and aside from the associated increase in difficulties bending and working figured woods, it is easily adapted for service as back and sides for musical instruments.

I have been building with ancient kauri for many years now with great results and I have some of the very best and highly figured examples you will find. The very best I have is my "williams whitebait " grade which is the densest of all the different grades in my personal cache. It is extremely rare and I hold the only stock of it in the world.

Check out Ancient Cache on the side bar for what is currently available. I will update this from time to time and introduce different pieces.