Official Luthiers Forum!

Started the day gluing a Red spruce top on a set of Mahogany rims. Waited about 3 hours and took off the clamps,removed the over hang,took the glue up out of the mold and gave the top a nice rap to see how it was for tone. Sounded quite nice...........................................except there was a big fat rattle in the background. Have built about 40 guitars over the years but had never had this happen to me before. I believe one of the requirements for good guitars is tight fitting joints. Over the years I have tried to have this as a priority in building. Having said that I was quite suprised to hear the rattle.Was quite sure it was not in the top but still checked every brace on the top and found nothing.Turned to the rims and checked everything there,even dropping CA glue in a few stratigic places, etc.,etc. Still no luck and I was considering gluing the back on the rims. Two hours later with handfuls of hair over the shop floor I happened to glance at the reversed linings for the back and noticed what looked like a crack lined up with one of the kerfs. A quick shot of CA,a shot of accellerator and the 352th time I tapped this piece of misery. BINGO...................no rattle and a clear thump from the top. A good day today,top glued on ,I learned something and I didn't do something stupid like glue on the back before finally finding the source of the rattle.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Some folks spell relief different ways, but it always feels good!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Well at least you don't have to pay the barber this month

Wow, good find......and I'll bet that was hard to find. Like you said, glad you found it before the back was glued in place.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Ha!
Good for you!
I noticed a rattle on a finished guitar that I made.
Turned out the end pin jack was loose.
I was happy to find that out .Phew!