There is a taper from the back to the front on the back side of the instrument. The side assembly is held in the mold gently by the turnbuckles and the taper is achieved by planing.

2010_1_1_045

2010_1_1_046

2010_1_1_047

Back reinforcing strip ready to be glued. The strip is made from an offcut of the soundboard so that the grain is cross in relationship to the joint. The surface has just been wiped with denatured alcohol prior to being glued. The back and sides are East Indian rosewood, which is an oily wood. Freshly planed and wiped joints glue up best with oily woods.

2010_1_2_049

Soundboard joined and planed to thickness. The outline of the final shape, as well as bracing pattern has been drawn on.

2010_1_2_051

2010_1_2_052

Back reinforcing strip glued on and the edges have been rounded over with a plane and sandpaper.