Mulberry with boo backing

[Stringman]

I'm a virgin when it comes to using bamboo for a backing. But I picked up a couple pieces at MOJAM last year and am wanting to try my hand at it. I have a pretty piece of mulberry that was too knotty to leave unbacked. However the piece is slightly reflexed and I want to keep it in the finished bow. My question is, if I wanted to do any more heat warping do I have to do it before I laminate the boo backing on? Or can I do that after the two pieces are together?

[DanaM]

Best to do it first, heat will soften the glue and the boo will most likely release.

[Hillbilly]

I would taper the mulberry down to floor-tiller so that the limbs are bending pretty evenly, then add reflex when you glue it up. Glued-in reflex will probably hold better than the heat-induced reflex.

[Stringman]

That's a good point. I was thinkin about reducing it down first. This confirms it.

Also, it is necessary to build in some deflex?

[Pat B]

Reflex is not necessary but it will keep the visible set to a minimum. If you add 3" of Perry reflex at glue up you should net a bow with about 1" of reflex or flat.