Botanical name: Picea Excelsa o Picea Abies)
Italian Spruce has always been used in the Italian tradition of violin making. Our supply comes from the North Eastern area of the Italian Alps. The trees grow at high altitude, above 1400 up to 1800 meters. The vegetative time is only 100 days a year; the winters are long and cold, so the trees grow slowly and regularly. The growth to obtain a violin or guitar log is about 150 to 200 years, and even more for a cello log. This wood is very stiff and light: 400 kg/m3 as some studies have established. The average size of the Italian Spruce is much smaller and less regular than others kinds of Spruce, like Sitka Spruce for example. Many studies have been conducted to give a scientific explanation on why Spruce from the Italian Alps has exceptional acoustic qualities. Our experience has demonstrated that stiffness and lightness are the essential properties of Italian Spruce.
