Official Luthiers Forum!

As I'm checking the fit of the back, getting ready to glue the back on, is it normal to have to really flex the upper bout to meet the neck block? I'd asked before and found that it was normal to not have much longitudinal arch as there really isn't bracing holding the back in this dimension. The profile sits in the dish very well and so I assume that this is normal, but I just want to be sure. Thank you in advance for your help.

Darrin

Hi Darrin.

Yes it is normal. If the sides fit well on the dish as you mentioned, you don't have to worry about anything. Go ahead and glue you back in place.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Thank you Alain. Though I'm not using expensive materials for my first (in fact, material I had laying around), I still want to make sure I'm understanding the procedures and developing the correct skills. You help is most appreciated.

Darrin

Darrin buddy the reason why the back will require more flexing to fit the radiused rim is that most guitars, not all, are built with ladder bracing which does nothing to help form the dome of the back between the neck and tail block.

Some folks will X-brace their backs too and these, I suspect, will fit the rim with less flex required.

Anyway as Alain rightly says some pressure is required to fit the back since it does not have the dome built into it.

You're welcome Darrin!

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)