Dendrochronology - A Nondestructive Technique for Dating Historical String Musical Instruments

Since 1967, the historical musical instruments have been defined as objects belonging to the cultural heritage of humanity. Historical string instruments are mainly instruments of classical music belonging to the violin family - the violin, the viola, the cello, the double bass and also the guitars, the harps, the harpsichords and the pianos. These instruments have been made in Europe since the renaissance and the Baroque periods. Resonance spruce - Picea abies from the European Alps was the main material employed for the soundboard of these instruments. The authenticity of these instruments can be proved through the dendrochronological approach. Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy informs about the geographic provenance of spruce used for the soundboards.