Acoustic Guitar Construction

Sorry to resurface the thread, but I'm new here and have spent some time trying to catch up.
I figure it's best to ask questions related to a current thread than take up room with a new one.

Regarding the 3-piece backs, what alterations are made concerning the "reinforcing strip" called for in many of the plans out there?
Two strips, so as to have one at each seam?
No reinforcement?

What about 4-piece backs?
I don't hear much about them, but wouldn't mind trying it if I could get ideas on construction.
I have plenty of high quality wood in narrow widths, and would love to put it to use.
What seems to be the most common method of lining pieces up?
Two bookmatches laid side-by-side?
Slip match?
Or is it a case-by-case basis of whatever pattern appears most pleasing to the individual?

Thanks,
Robert

Hi Robert...

I've seen a couple of four piece backs... they turned out very nice. Another one had a three piece configuation but with the center "wedge" made up of five or six smaller wedges of different colorful types of wood, if you can picture that. It was beautiful! As to book-matches, I think that whatever pleases the eye will be the way to go... your choice!

Terry

Hi Terry,

For our three piece back kits I send an additional set of cross grain 3/4" x 1/16" Spruce, it actually look pretty cool through the sound hole.

Regarding four piece backs -- I don't think they have are as striking in appearance as the wedge shape three piece. Certainly works OK, there are plenty of Brazilian Rosewood guitars with four piece back as a result of scarce supply of wide BR billets.

The only correct way to arrange the pieces of a multi-pieced back is so they look good to you.
Use a spruce reinforcement on each joint.