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With the talk about Buying reverse Kerf in Bulk I got to thinking. What are the pros and Cons of reverse Kerf verses regular? I've never used Reverse kerfed lining.arvey38508.4617361111

I think if it is installed cleanly it certainly looks better than the triangular variety, but it can be a bit of a challenge to get it in there without breaking it, and the breaks really show.

And... I suppose it is probably stiffer (some), but I have not tested this theory.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Arvey I think the sides are much stiffer with the reverse kerf linings. It forms what is similar to a laminated beam when glued to the sides. I always spritz mine with a bit of water and bend on a hot pipe. It just takes a light touch because that thin outer face of cedar bends rather easily and you only need to bend the tight curves. A close approximation is good enough to keep them from breaking.

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1109 Military Rd.
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Pros: they look much better, they ad a lot of stiffness to the side
assembly.
Cons: they break easily and those breaks are difficult to hide,
you have to be pretty careful not to make a mess with the glue
as it will fill the kerfs and look terrible.

Ive use both, I like the reversed better, as mentioned, it makes the sides MUCH stiffer, You can remove your rims from your mold after the kerfing is installed, cant do that with the regular stuff. Ive yet to brake a set installing them, Kathy Wingert gave me a tip several years ago, and its worked flawlessly, Soak them in warm water for a few minutes before installing them, lay them out on paper towel to soak the excess water first, then glue as normal. Works every time for me.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Cool tip, Lance! Thanks. So, no need to pre-bend? What glue are you using?

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

JJ, I use LMI white.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I like good old triangular linings better.
they look more traditional,are easier to work with, and are lighter. I stiffen my sides with veneer strips anyway.

i just like `em better.
Matt

[QUOTE=LanceK] JJ, I use LMI white.[/QUOTE]

Maybe I just move too slow, but I find the LMI white glue tacks up too fast.

... but now that I think about it... maybe since your linings are a little wet before you apply the glue helps with this.

hmmm....

Do you put glue on the entire strip before putting them in?

Brock Poling38509.3994560185

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

yup- I lay it out, run 3 long beads of glue down the entire strip, then use my finger to spread it out, then start at the neck block, getting a nice tight fit, and clamp my way around, when I get to the heel block, I mark were it needs to be trimmed and then hold a wood block behind it, and using a razor saw, trim to length. The whole process takes me less than a few minutes.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

[QUOTE=LanceK] yup- I lay it out, run 3 long beads of glue down the entire strip, then use my finger to spread it out, then start at the neck block, getting a nice tight fit, and clamp my way around, when I get to the heel block, I mark were it needs to be trimmed and then hold a wood block behind it, and using a razor saw, trim to length. The whole process takes me less than a few minutes. [/QUOTE]

Would that be your high tech glue spreading device Lance?

Nope- that would by my thumb

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Yeah, those glue spreading sticks are the best.   

I clearly just move too slow. I take lots of time getting them lined up to stand just a shade proud of the sides, fuss with the clamps to make sure everything is down tight, etc.

Good thing I don't do this for a living..... I would definitely starve.   

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

well, now if you include all the little things like cleaning up the squeezout, and adjusting the clamps here and there, ya, it takes a bit longer, but just to get them on and clamped down, a few minutes usualy does it for me. Plus, Brock, I think you hit the nail on the head, about extending the open time of the glue with the added water from soaking the linings.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I use hide glue which might make it a bit tougher

I also use hide glue and getting everything together within 60 seconds is a challenge. For my process, I'd like to have the strip measured and formed before applying the glue.

I'm going to try the bending process on the Fox bender with pre-soaked liners first to see if I can do it without cracking.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

someone have one reverse kerf they could send me? I just need one full
piece! I have a guitar I need to replace one side of linings but I'm all out..
I've switched back to the std. Triangular again... for now... if you can help
me out shoot me an e-mail. I'll pay shipping costs and the cost of the
lining but I just need one of mark ketts linings....

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

If no one has filled your needs yet, I can help you out.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Thanks brock that would be sweet.

I'll e-mail ya.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Ok... I will keep an eye out for it...

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

John I also have a bunch, and can help you out.

Thanks for the offer matt, but brock is hooking me up. I appreciate it.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

John,

Why did you switch back to the standard?

Jeff

Here is the long and short.

The short: Beacause I'm fickle

The long: I like the look (I like the look of reverse too....) it has less mass,
and is easier to deal with patching two pieces together...

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com