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Eight kerfed (notched) wooden lining strips are supplied for
reinforcing the glue joints between the soundboard, sides
and back . Refer to the blueprint; dry-clamp (no glue) the
linings to the top edge of the side assembly using ordinary
spring-tension clothespins (pictured) .
Each side of the guitar requires two strips, which should
be accurately trimmed where they meet the body blocks .
Use at least four or five dozen clothespins . The top (gluing)
surface of the linings should extend 1/32" above the edge
of the guitar’s sides, on both the top and back sides .
The linings are left slightly proud so that you’ll have a little
wood to sand off until the linings comes perfectly flush with
the top edge of the sides, and to make up for any possible
misalignment during glue-up .
Disassemble, trim the linings, glue them into place with
Installing kerfed linings
Squaring the neck block and tailblock
Although they work quite well, the waist clamp and card-
board inner body mold still allow some movement . Handle
the rim assembly carefully, especially until the top and back
are glued on and the assembly becomes more rigid . Lay the
rim assembly topside-down on the plywood work surface,
weight it down again, and use a square at each end to see
if the neck block and tailblock are square to the plywood
surface . If either end is slightly out of square, use a thin ta-
pered wedge pressed between the cardboard inner body
mold and either the neck block or tailblock as needed, to
force the blocks and sides into square (pictured) . Having
the sides properly squared up at this stage is important .
The blueprint included with your kit illustrates the positions
of vintage-style cloth side reinforcing ribbon . Transfer the
centerlines of the reinforcement strips from the blueprint to
the inner sides of your kit . Measure, mark and cut eight strips
for each side from the ribbon supplied with your kit . Each
strip should go from the back edge of the sides to the top
edge so the kerfed lining will be later glued over top of the
ribbon (pictured) . Mark the centerline on the ribbon on the
ends of the ribbon with a marker (only on the area that will
be covered by the kerfed linings . With a glue brush, apply a
thin film of fish glue (you don’t want any glue squeeze out)
on the back side of the ribbon and place it on the transferred
centerline . Use a piece of wax paper on top of the ribbon
to smooth it out and apply pressure . You shouldn’t need
any type of clamping but if they try to curl up, use strips of
binding tape to hold them flat then carefully peel the tape
off after 24 hours .
Installing the side reinforcing ribbon
Titebond, check the 1/32" clearance and reclamp . Let the
glue dry for 4 hours . Install the lining strips on the back edge
of the side assembly in the same manner .
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