The luthier (bowed string instruments) creates and restores violins, violas, cellos, double basses, viols da gamba. Using planes, gouges and penknives, he works maple wood for the head, back, sides and bridge; spruce for the soundboard and the soul; ebony for the fingerboard and ebony, rosewood, boxwood for the pegs, tailpieces and chin rests. He uses varnish for finishing.