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C. Vega -> RE: Popular wood for flamenco (Jun. 27 2014 17:24:23)
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Yes, it is true that violin family instruments (including some by famous makers) have been made with poplar backs and sides but bear in mind that the European poplar and the North American tulip poplar are very different woods.
There are some violins made from poplar but it's more often seen on larger instruments like violas and celli.
A dozen or so years ago the American guitar manufacturer Taylor made a run of steel string guitars from tulip poplar that they called the "Liberty Tree" guitar that was released with the usual over-the-top hype and fanfare including some rather fanciful drivel regarding the history of the tree that the wood came from. It was marketed as a patriotic "collectible" and was decked out with rather gaudy laser-cut inlays of a flag, the Declaration on Independence, etc. and, of course, came with the prerequisite "Certificate of Authenticity". They initially had a ridiculously high price tag and, at least according to Taylor and their dealers, sold out quickly but others with no connection to Taylor or not trying to sell used examples have said that they were a total marketing flop.
Dealer asking prices for used examples and actual prices realized at auctions, etc. aren't even close. So much for ready-made "collectibles".
Anyone interested can do a web search for more details.
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