Linings
Thin strips of wood are glued to the inside of the ribs along the top and bottom edges to provide a larger gluing surface for attaching the belly and back. Italian master violinmakers commonly used willow or spruce wood; Stainer normally used walnut linings. The choice of material and the shape of the linings may in some cases help with the stylistic classification of instruments.
![Violin, Antonio Stradivari, 1694, "ex Benecke". Interior view.](/dam/jcr:01c9384d-6a29-467c-a715-10ea07c831d6/I_01_Benecke_interior_e-930.jpg)