Fake maple flaming?

[Wood Butcher]

The flames are real, and not simulated on the back. It looks like this violin has been revarnished, on the back at least, but the way they have done it, is to apply a heavy brown stain onto the bare wood.
The way this has soaked in, and burned the flames completely, has given it an unpleasant appearance. This is why when you move it under a light, the flames will not 'move'.

[cardi]

8 hours ago, Wood Butcher said:

is to apply a heavy brown stain onto the bare wood.

Thank you for your answer.

Would the application of the "heavy brown stain" affect the violin acoustically? I heard that heavy varnish can block the pores of the wood and hence adversely affect the vibration. 

 

Also, by "burn the flame", are you referring to the top right part of the back?

Edited December 2, 2022 by cardi

[Wood Butcher]

The stain will not affect the acoustics, no. Usually the colour is added to, or part of the varnish, this takes skill to apply evenly and well. Staining is a simpler way to colour wood, but has drawbacks when dealing with flamed wood.

With flamed wood, the grain moves through the thickness of the piece like waves. When you move it under a light, the flames should be reflective, and change from dark to light, then back. It is really a beautiful effect, one of natures wonders. Stains soak into the flames, which makes them look very strong, and unnatural, it also stops the reflective nature, and change from light to dark.
The appearance is fixed, and this is referred to as 'burned'. Areas which show more endgrain, such as the top right on your violin, take the stain more, and this is why it is darker there.