Hi Josh
Our pro finishers here are using dynabride sanders like the Dynabride Spirit series with 3M gold paper.
I use a Festool ETS-125. I bought this sander with finishing in mind. The sanding discs on the Festool have a reinforcing ring around the perimeter that really helps keep everything level, and the papers last a long time. It was between this and the Dynabride, and my salesman told me that in his experience with Dynabride, you go through paper really fast. They sold each, so I feel like it was a fair comment. Would I get it again? Who knows. It does work really well though, and the dust collection is out of this world. Either path will get you an awesome sander
On the last guitar I used their Brilliant 2 400 to level, Platin 1000, Platin 2000, and then hand buffed with Meguires auto detailing compounds (can't remember specifically which ones off the top of my head). The Platins will work with any sander, not just Festool. They're a foam backed abrasive.
Next time I'm going to use the Brilliant 400, Platin 500, 1000, 2000, then machine buff.
Sanding the waist of the guitar and inside cutaways has always been tough for me. After talking with Joe White, and from a few things I read here, I'm going to get some PVC pipe, glue some cork to it, and then use it as a sanding block for these areas.
