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Sorry, I could not find my old thread...

I have the rim assembled, kerfing, blocks, etc...still need to sand and install rim ribs or what ever they are called. Got the back assembled (with inlay) and sanded. The back shape has not been cut out yet.

Question... should I do the rough cut out before gluing the back braces?

Mike

I always cut the back and top about a quarter of an inch outside of the outline before I install the braces. Not only does this get the excess out of the way, but it lets the top and back flex more. After you have the top and back glued into place on the sides, you can use a laminate trimmer to remove the excess material. Be sure to keep your centers lines up when gluing these together !

If you are building from a Martin Kit, I thought that they already trimmed the top and back to it's rough shape this for you?

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Reguards,

Ken H

Top is, but back is not.

Mike

Oh, its probably obvious, and it is surely something I would do, but why do you emaphasize "be sure"?

[QUOTE=Hodges_Guitars]

If you are building from a Martin Kit, I thought that they already trimmed the top and back to it's rough shape this for you?

[/QUOTE]

I have a couple of Martin kits. The top is always trimmed. The backs vary from kit to kit. Some are trimmed, some are not. The back in one of my kits came as just two pieces of rosewood...not even joined.

Jim

Yes, that is how my back came. I was actually glad that it was not joined...enjoyed figuring out how to join it with theinlay piece.

Mike

   I handle more martin kits than most people. Martin will use what they have available. I have seen them every way you can imagine from trimmed to not trimmed.
    Allow a fair amount for trimming. It is easier to take off then to put on
john hall

[QUOTE=slackkeymike] Oh, its probably obvious, and it is surely something I would do, but why do you emaphasize "be sure"?[/QUOTE]

I think his emphasis on being sure was related to the fact that the centerline of the top will be used extensively later in the process when making sure the neck is properly aligned to the guitar and bridge. It sounds like you're well aware of this point, but it's something that beginners frequently miss.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

To some extent is also depends on how you will be clamping the plates to the rim. You may have to trim pretty close to get your particular clamps in place. I use a go-bar deck and have plenty of clearance so leave the plates with plenty of overhang.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck