When working with a new tonewood, it is always exciting to observe how it responds to being shaped and voiced. The back being osage intrigued me in particular. I braced it in my normal pattern. The braces, sticking with the USA theme, are beautifully quartered cherry.
Each braces is carefully fit into the back strap.
Because this is a new tonewood for me, as I carved, I stopped often, tapped, flexed, talked with the wood... You know, just to get to know it. The conversation was wonderful.
Once I'm happy with how everything is sounding and feeling, there's just one last touch to cap it all off- an osage button:
The top is next.