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I'm in the early stages of my first acoustic build and spent yesterday gluing the back reinforcement and the bracing. It's amazing what you learn along the way, or rather, what becomes more concrete in my already conrete-ish head.

Warnings from you guys about the ordering of certain procedures, or things you've said about the tap tones that I had no idea what you were talking about before suddenly became clear.

I was amazed at how different the tap tone on the back sounded with braces on. Too cool. Also, a very good idea to shape and sand that back reinforcement strip prior to bracing. I guess the real lesson there is to pay attention and be patient. If you don't take your time when you should, you'll be taking some extra time later. Now off to the garage to chisel and sand that reinforcement strip between the braces.

Darrin

Darrin buddy some builders install the BJR (back joint reinforcement) first and others install it as segments after the back braces are in place.

I like to install it first and mark where the braces will be and not use glue on the BJR in that location. This makes for a nice clean removal of the BJR under where the back braces go.

Once I have the BJR on I use planes and sand paper to shape it as a single, continuous strip. This makes it pretty easy.

I did a toot on installing BJRs this way but can't find it in the toot section and the link is dead.

I know you did Hesh. I read it and then had a minor brain infarction. I even made the Hesh Wonder Stick Jig™ Just got a little excited about moving on to the next step and forgot to shape the BJR first. I followed your method avoiding much glue under the BJR and I can see where gluing the whole thing would make it not very fun to remove .

I don't really understand why the BJR is necessary. Wouldnt it be a stronger joint if the BJR grain ran in the same direction as the back itself? It would also seem that the back braces would provide all the strength necessary to the back.

[quote="darrin"] I even made the Hesh Wonder Stick Jig™ quote]

Wonder stick jig??? Do tell....
David

David my friend here you go: http://luthiersforum.3element.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11167%20&KW=tutorial#forumTop%22

Thanks Hesh!
David