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This is my first try, looking for advice. I would assume rout off top.binding then rout off top?

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MK5acoustics.com

Here is a much more elegant way of doing it:

http://www.guitar-repair.com/article_apr_09_retop.htm

I've only done this repair a hand full of times but the method I used which I borrowed from some one else who I cannot give credit for since I can't remember who, is to rout the top off and leave the bindings in place. So basically:

1) join the new soundboard and thickness it
2) remove the fingerboard and bridge
3) trace the guitar pattern on the new top
4) rout the top off just inside the bindings
5) salvage the rosette and inlay to te new top
6) cut the new soundboard inside the traced lines to the thickness of the bindings
7) brace the top to the same pattern
8) now the top should just drop in place, glue it in
9) There will be a gap between the binding and the top freshen it up with a router
10) fill the gaps with purfling wood strips or mastic.
11) re-glue fingerboard and bridge.

Done

It works really well and you don't have to deal with trying to salvage bindings. The only trade off is that you will have a purfeled line which was not part of the original design but if you need a re-top then who cares.

Oh I see the above link now. YEah that'll work.

Assuming the original binding channel was cut well, that is a SLICK way of doing it.

John Greven does an excellent write-up on his web site under Workshop.
Tom

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