The maple viola ribs, as is the case with all the sides of bowed instruments, are a fundamental part of the instrument. They determine the final shape of the instrument and support its structure. The need to use a hard wood to support this tension led luthiers to choose maple. A dense wood, widely available and easy to work with. Not to mention its incredible curly aspect, which acquires almost three-dimensional accents once it has been lacquered.
European maple - Acer pseudoplatanus - is a light-colored wood, with golden reflections that intensify when oxidized. It is a wood with no appreciable grain, which in many cases eliminates the need to use a filler. It is easy to work despite its hardness (although it requires sharp tools) and a bright and attractive finish can be achieved simply by using a scraper or planer, without even needing sandpaper. It is undoubtedly one of the most pleasant woods to work with.
Many apprentices or people interested in lutherie start using A grade backs for their first projects. These pieces have less curl than the higher grades, but are just as strong and stable. There may be some small knots or discoloration in the piece. But it will always be purely aesthetic and not structural considerations which determine their classification.
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