I was told that Stradavarius used old old furniture where he could (given the joints &/or nails) simply because it has demonstrated all the shrinkage and shaking it is going to do if treated well and you can hit it and hear it's final qualities better. The seasoning of woods is a black art and a long one. I have heard of logs being tied in streams to wash out the sap but they still have to be dried slowly. Fruit woods are usually quoted but isn't maple/sycamore often used for musical instruments?