I think it may be purpleheart. I don't know of another wood that is naturally that colour. When cut into it turns a deep purple colour. After enough time where oxidation occurs it goes to a deeper rich brownish colour.
Most don't know Thuja. It's not cedar at all, nor is it red as you mentioned, lol. It's actually related to cypress and not to cedar. The leaves can be used for medicine, much the same way that cedar is. Not sure what the wood is like to carve, never done that.
I guess it is. It has a lot of names around here.
I know it's related to cypress, but the cuts used for instrument show a grain very similar to spruce. That's why it's used for sound boards and it gives a very rich and dark sound to instruments. I think it's similar to spruce in its hardness. A lot of longitudinal strength but not much on the transversal axis.
I have seen a lot of it, but haven't worked with it. It's an expensive wood. But maybe I'll save up and make some instruments with it.
Yeah, I bet idea wood for caving falls into the category of being semi-hard wood. I'd to see that one that incorporates sound. It has me intrigued.
I see it has to be firm wood. Figures it's a thing about the structural integrity of the carving. Some of that wood is used for important stuff in luthiery: making bridges, fretboards and as ornaments.
This has me even more interested in taking a look at it.