The type and quality of the wood used to build a violin is the most important factor in the instrument’s particular sound. While most violins use the same types of tonewood-spruce tops, and maple necks, backs and sides-the quality of the wood varies, which is reflected in the price differences between instruments. The top of the violin body is its soundboard-the wood that amplifies the sound produced by the resonating strings. Spruce has been a favorite tonewood for violin soundboards for centuries because it is naturally both stiff and dense. It’s strength means it can be delicately carved but still …