Back bracing

Lattice bracing for the backs were installed. African black wood back has three piece jointed structure; therefore, I insulated two joint patches. Myrtle back has a conventional two piece back. Both backs have the 5x5 lattice bracing design. Vacuum clumping is an essential tool to make a void free gluing, because the lattice brace requires even pressure for all bracing at the same time. Traditional clumping technique is not able to install lattice brace properly. Conventional ladder bracing has been using for past two hundred years. Now, we have the vacuum clumping technique that enables to use more advanced bracing technique.

SSJ and Nylon top making

Both Nylon model and SSJ model completed top making. As you can see the first picture. This wood dusts are from one brace shaping. I have been using hand planes to shape cross section of the brace. It is a time consuming process; however, I am able to control to obtain a desired cross-section quite precisely. Brace shaping for Nylon and steel models are completely difference. Nylon model requires very tiny and delicate bracing. My lattice size is 3mm (Width) x 7mm (High). For the steel model, X-brace size is 8mm (Width) x 12.5mm (High). Although the Nylon model has 3mm width, I still shape the cross section as the V-shaped manner. This complicated brace shaping process makes pretty good sound response. This is a beauty of hand guitar building. This time, I also used the Adirondack spruce for bracing materials. I am quite excited about testing the sound response. Next week, I start making the back bracing. I will use the lattice bracing design for both Nylon and SSJ models.