For sure, Ben is one of my favorite instrument makers, and an excellent violin varnisher as well. That particular willow back is certainly the prettiest one that I have ever seen (in photos).
Despite the fact that curly maple was and is the overwhelmingly favored wood for stringed instrument backs and ribs, willow was occasionally used for cello backs (poplar was another alternative) even back in the days of the great makers. Here is a link to a Stradivarius cello with a very plain willow back and ribs:
Strad Cello
You can click and expand the small picture of the back, which will reveal that it has a knot in it! Not too many smallish objects made of knotty wood are worth more than the combined total value of the houses of all of the participants in this thread, but this one probably is....
P.S. - chopnhack - I like your new signature line; I second that sentiment!
Despite the fact that curly maple was and is the overwhelmingly favored wood for stringed instrument backs and ribs, willow was occasionally used for cello backs (poplar was another alternative) even back in the days of the great makers. Here is a link to a Stradivarius cello with a very plain willow back and ribs:
Strad Cello
You can click and expand the small picture of the back, which will reveal that it has a knot in it! Not too many smallish objects made of knotty wood are worth more than the combined total value of the houses of all of the participants in this thread, but this one probably is....
P.S. - chopnhack - I like your new signature line; I second that sentiment!
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