One Piece-Two Piece Back

[yankees1]

For you luthiers, is it easier to build a one or two piece back and what are the pros/cons of building either ? Just wondering ! I assume that most buyers would favor a one piece back but it seems that there a lot of two piece backs built .

[bmac]

A two piece back allows axial symetry. The grain of each side being pretty close to a mirror image of the other. Many folks regard this as a desirable feature.

A one piece back, while having some desirable features will not be symetrical. Just a matter of taste but I don't think one or the other is inherently "better".

[fscotte]

It's easier since you don't have to glue the halves together. Other than that, no difference for me.

[Charles E.]

I personally like the look of a one piece back and to get a piece big enough it might have to be slab sawn. Two piece backs are usualy quarter sawn and have to be jointed. Both can give you good results, it depends what appeals to your eye. I do not believe there would be any tonal difference between the two.

[Rob Grant]

It doesn't really make much (if any) difference in tone or ease of build if you use a one piece or two piece back. I prefer a two piece because I love the look of a "book matched" back.

Below are photos of the backs of two F5 mandos I've built in the last couple of years. One is a single piece of Queensland Maple (a "Flindersia") and the other is a book matched Queensland Walnut (Endiandra palmerstonii) back...

[pfox14]

I like book-matched 2 piece backs. Just a personal preference.

[Eric Michael Pfeiffer]

I prefer a two piece....here's the back on mine....has a really nice flame

[buckhorn]

I have done two one piece backs as compared to about 25 two piece bookmatched backs..the actual carving part is no difference to me....the biggest concern is with trying to keep the centerline true...the last two builds were a quilt and a tiger strip, both were two piece...I like trying to work with two piece backs.....