The OM style has become standard these days, my first was in Granadillo, (Platymiscium yucatanum from the Yucatan inMexico) a ‘sustainable’ tropical wood. My favourite, though has been with a Torrified Sitka top and Yew back and sides.

I have had a love affair with Yew since starting furniture, It is hard to get as it is mostly found in graveyards and other church property and takes many centuries to grow big enough for Luthiery. By the time it is that old it almost always is filled with tears and shakes that make it hard to manage. But when you get a good piece it is beautiful and wonderfully finely textured. I’ve tried Walnut, which works well, but somehow doesn’t get me excited.