Since the guitar's not close to being done I can't post this in the "show it off" forum but I'm pretty proud of the back strip on my first scratch build:
It's some nice wavy mahogany bound by BWB purfling strips on either side. It doesn't match my rosette but I intend to do the body binding to match so I felt that the back strip needed a little contrast.
Thanks, Tony. I had to rout out a channel in the back. It was a lot of work but I'd already joined the back months ago and was told that the thickness sander would just tear the purfling all up.
I never had an issue with using a sander tearing out purfling unless the glue didn't hold . It do look good
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans http://www.bluescreekguitars.com