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Disclaimer: The words “violin” and “guitar” are used to represent families of instruments. Currently, some of us on The Pegbox are trying to identify and understand a violin made in Ukraine in 1988 (nineteen eighty-eight). One mystery is the luthier’s reasons to install a non-ebony fingerboard. There are several obvious possibilities: access to materials, financial factors, tonal considerations, player requirements. This led me to think about some less obvious reasons for luthiers to use non-traditional or “alternative” tonewoods when making a "traditional" violin or guitar. Here are some reasons that have guided or limited me when designing or making instruments: The instrument is made entirely with wood that is native to a certain region such as province, state, small island nation. Example: I designed a guitar with North Carolina native tree species: Black Walnut, Red Spruce, and Persimmon. Other designs specify St. Lucian species or Ontario species. The instrument is made entirely from wood salvaged from one particular building or vessel, such as the client's home or yacht. The instrument was designed by a non-luthier, visual artist who wanted a piece of functional art. The instrument was designed to be made from woods of a specific botanical genus. The client refused certain wood species or colours (natural or dyed). The luthier and/or client was allergic/sensitive to certain species of wood. So, we see some valid, reasonable limits on tonewood choices that many people are unaware of, or forget, when surveying a "non-standard" traditional stringed instrument. I hope this knowledge helps you in your future luthier endeavours. Keep an open mind. Think LATERALLY. Be empathetic. Never assume. Thank you for reading. Randy O'Malley