staining

[John Bertotti]

Just curious if any of you do any staining before you glued the back or sides on?

[HoGo]

You are going to trim the back to the rim and install binding? that would remove wood with stain and you would have to repair the stain.
Some top violin makers do start their staining/ sealing process before the body is assembled, but the violin plates overhang ribs and shaping of edges is 100% finished before assembly.

[John Bertotti]

I'm not sure where I am going with this currently just a notion. I like how violin tops are done and just thinking out loud a bit, wondering what you all may have tried.