Official Luthiers Forum!

I know this has been discussed before, but searching not working for this topic.

So, any thoughts on leaving off the backstrip? I'm talking about backs without marquetry strips. If they are perfectly jointed and glued/clamped, then the join line is not a likely crack line. It might actually be the safest line in the whole width.

I will soon close a box with this 3 piece back. The white fillet is maple and I am rather certain the joint is strong. Plates planed and candled, and the center panel hammer-wedged in. I like the potential look through the soundhole and I was wondering if I should omit the backstrip....

Thanks!

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Build log

Back strips are not necessary but then are traditional. Some like them, some don't.

I use them mainly because the open up the opportunity to do mitered purflings. I like that look.

Joe

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Wait !!! Hold the phone!!!

You are talking about the back joint reinforcing strip aren't you?

Leaving it off is probably not a good idea but .... if you have ladder bracing every 4 inches or so and everything is glued nice and snug, you most likely will be fine although I have no experience in how well it will hold up.

Joe

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Larrivee dos'nt use them. Reinforcement strip...or back strip.

I put them on there though.

Yes, that's the one!

I'm sure I've seen it missing on a guitar of an OLF member, or two. And I have Torres' example, the backs of his cheaper guitars had...music paper strips instead of wood. I many cases, in the course of the 150 years of so, the paper fell off, but the guitar didn't fell apart.

And then we have the example of the guitar top. Joints do open up, but if we compare the number of these accidents to the number of random dryness cracks...

But for a marquetry inlaid / multiple purfling lines joint I definitely agree a reinforcement strip is necessary.

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Build log

Found an old similar topic:

viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21410&p=296863&hilit=larrivee+backstrip#p296863

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Build log

Alexandru, I have a 1974-ish Epiphone that has a 3 piece back and no back reinforcement strips. It's held up just fine as far that goes. That guitar took the abuse of my youth also.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

I have a bubinga back that the bookmatch and figure would be diminished visually with a back strip or reinforcement strip. I'm going to go without them. It's an OM style. I think it will be fine.

I'm also using laminated ladder bracing (walnut with a middle bloodwood strip) instead of spruce. Looks good and taps good but I we'll see.

Danny R. Little