My first post, I've been following for some time now and what a great place to learn. I'm going to start a build on a Rick Ellis striker style bow at 62 amo and hoping for 35 to 40 draw. My big question is this. What if I don't use tapers, is that going to make a huge difference? Also can I use wood parallels on the belly so I can tiller? I'm guess
ing about .315 limb thickness. Any help.              
Will be appreciated. Thanks

Assuming this is an all wood and no glass bow....

Tapers help make the limb bend where you want it to. As a rule of thumb, more taper can be used on a narrow deep limb like a Hill style because you have less width to taper on the edges. And a wider limbed bow like a recurve can use less because you have more width taper.

In my opinion, most bows work better with at least some taper lams in the limbs.

According to Roy    :D    , you want the thick parallel on the belly and the taper in core so you don't cut thru a glue line(assuming an all wood bow)

I'm not sure what thickness you will need  but thinking more than .315, my 62" D/R needs .335" total stack  for 40#  with glass back and belly and an all wood bow I believe needs a bit more....

It is going to be backed with glass. I want to use curly maple parallels but haven't decided on the core. Thanks for the reply, any suggestions will be very helpful.

With glass back and belly, you might make weight, depending on how radical the D/R is.

I would still put some tapers in. My .02 and worth exactly that!  

I've decided to glass back & belly & 02 taper after your comment. Thank you for the advice.

Be sure to let us know how it goes!!

I plan to take pics but don't know how to post them but have enough time to learn. I got all my material ordered yesterday and looking for a delivery in about a week.