[Video in #161] Bashkin OM - Multiscale - Swiss Moon/Panama Rosewood w/Wingert HS

[Dustinfurlow]

Gorgeous! The hue of the PR and the Japanese maple leaves is gonna go together wonderfully! Looking forward to following this.

[chippygreen]

Okay, decision time.

Back strip, or no back strip?

Back Strip.jpg

No Back Strip.jpg

I'm leaning in a particular way but will keep my thoughts to myself.

What do you think, AGF?

I can work with Michael on the back strip size/design/colors, but the fundamental decision comes down to au naturel or decoratif?

[Ukulele_Eddie]

What a spectacular build! Look forward to following this to completion.

[colins]

Originally Posted by chippygreen

Okay, decision time.

Back strip, or no back strip?

I'm leaning in a particular way but will keep my thoughts to myself.

What do you think, AGF?

I can work with Michael on the back strip size/design/colors, but the fundamental decision comes down to au naturel or decoratif?

Au naturel can highlight the wood and a beautiful join by the luthier. Then again a backstrip that picks up on the theme in the rosette, for example, is your little secret and can be a lot of fun. You can't lose either way!

[Ernesto]

My intuition was to say «no backstrip», even though you can't loose either way, as has been said. That Panama Rosewood looks special, have never seen anything like it!

[Nemoman]

I'm voting for the backstrip--seems to give it a little extra snap!

[doodahdoug]

I love the Panamanian RW and inlays you're in good hands with Michael Bashkin...looking forward to seeing more!

[SiliconValleySJ]

I love the pop of the backstrip!

[acousticjazz]

I like the back strip, it's a subtle pop on the back, very classy if you go that route. Love the japanese maple idea for the headstock, very cool.

[Jamiejoon]

I say no backstrip. Looks perfect without.

[chippygreen]

Wow folks - looks about even on votes - I'm going back and forth too!

Michael's going to do some drawings of the rosette and end graft so I look forward to sharing those with the forum and some ideas on how to tie them together with the back strip, if we have one.

[Erithon]

When a guitar has lovely figure (and the luthier sufficient skill in joints), I often think no backstrip shows it off best--and all the more so when the wood itself provides an organic backstrip of sorts, be it via sapwood or figure. My Bashkin, for example, has no backstrip. In this case, though, I think that the lighter colored area is just wide enough where a simple ebony backstrip not only works, but is desirable because it adds a center weight to those dramatic parallel striations and the less figured bouts.

[nootis]

Originally Posted by Erithon

When a guitar has lovely figure (and the luthier sufficient skill in joints), I often think no backstrip shows it off best--and all the more so when the wood itself provides an organic backstrip of sorts, be it via sapwood or figure. My Bashkin, for example, has no backstrip. In this case, though, I think that the lighter colored area is just wide enough where a simple ebony backstrip not only works, but is desirable because it adds a center weight to those dramatic parallel striations and the less figured bouts.

I agree. To elaborate further, I think the black ebony backstrip along with the bindings puts the other woods in sort of a frame, thus further showcasing the beautiful Panamanian Rosewood. The black binding on the headstock does the same thing to Jimmi's awesome inlay. So far, this is looking like a heck of a guitar!

By the way, like many of you, I am looking foreword to following along.

[jmagill]

If it helps, here's a shot of the Panamanian rosewood back of my Bashkin, with no backstrip.

[chippygreen]

Originally Posted by jmagill

If it helps, here's a shot of the Panamanian rosewood back of my Bashkin, with no backstrip.

Jim, the striations in that PRW are awesome - they add so much character to the back. You omitted to mention the incredible LS top you have on this 00-12!