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| How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=38752 |
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| Author: | Anders Eliasson [ Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
Hi all When building an acoustic steelstring with a 25 - 30´radius soundboard, do you "radius" the sides before you glue the soundboard on the sides, just like its done with a radiused back? Or do you you glue the soundboard to sides where the edge is straight? I hope my question can be understood. Sometimes I´m not sure I understand what i write myself. 
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| Author: | LanceK [ Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
I raidus both the top and bottom of the rim before either top or back goes on. On the top, I only radius form the butt to the waist, Then flat sand it from the waist to the neck block. |
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| Author: | ZekeM [ Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
You need to radius the sides just as you would when installing the back. Of course some people leave the upper bout flat. But either way you need your sides to match your soundboard. If you radius the entire soundboard the same should be done with the sides. If not you will get deformations around the edges or you will not have a good glue joint. |
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| Author: | Jeff Highland [ Wed Jan 02, 2013 2:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
Yes you need to radius the sides to match the top and this is best done with a radius dish. But you can build flat too, without radiusing the braces or the rim and therefore not needing a radius dish. I did my first 5 that way and glued bracing on to the top a bit drier than normal so that at regular humidity levels a slight rise in the soundboard was induced. This was then glued to flat rims at 45%Rh. The various adjustments to the upper bout area that are being suggested are to enable the fretboard to lay flat on the soundboard without shaving or packing, whilst achieving the appropriate neck angle and bridge height. |
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| Author: | John Arnold [ Wed Jan 02, 2013 7:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
I have always glued a radiused top to flat sides. It works fine. My tops have a compound radius, but overall the average is about 35 feet. I use a flat piece of 3/4" plywood against the top when gluing it on. I radius the sides for the back, using a block plane and wooden gauges. |
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| Author: | Anders Eliasson [ Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
Thanks for your answers In my logics, a radiussed soundboard should be fitted to radiussed sides. If not, there will be tension in the soundboard. But I just wanted some feedback. |
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| Author: | guitarjtb [ Thu Jan 03, 2013 9:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
John Arnold wrote: I have always glued a radiused top to flat sides. It works fine. My tops have a compound radius, but overall the average is about 35 feet. I use a flat piece of 3/4" plywood against the top when gluing it on. I radius the sides for the back, using a block plane and wooden gauges. John, Please explain what you mean about the 3/4" plywood against the top. Do you mean a narrow strip of plywood around the edges to spread the clamping pressure? I use a radiused top and flat sides. I use a dish to radius the sides to match the radius of the back. James |
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| Author: | Wes McMillian [ Thu Jan 03, 2013 11:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
Anders Eliasson wrote: Thanks for your answers In my logics, a radiussed soundboard should be fitted to radiussed sides. If not, there will be tension in the soundboard. But I just wanted some feedback. Sure it will. Just like when you string it up adds tension to the soundboard. Is there an assumption that tension on a soundboard is all bad? I've built both ways. Don't know in my still limited build experience I have a definite preference yet. Both work, just different, and many guitars have been built both ways. |
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| Author: | Anders Eliasson [ Fri Jan 04, 2013 4:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
Is there an assumption that tension on a soundboard is all bad? No, but it seems wrong to me to create a certain shape of a soundboard and then afterwards twist that shape into another shape. I agree that all stinged instruments end up with tension in the soundboard. My experience is that the less tension you have in the soundboard before you string up, gives the best working instrument. I wrote this thread because my experience is on building Spanish guitars only and even though I´ve made 100 of those, I feel that I need to relearn a lot of things now that I want to build a steelstring guitar. Its a different beast. Both to build and to play. |
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| Author: | Joe Beaver [ Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
I use a radiused sound board and back. I have radius dishes but could never get the hang of using them. My backs are 16' radiused but I don't use a straight line on them. I keep the back parallel with the top until it is within 2" of the waist, then I slope to the heel depth. The method in Cumpiano & Natelson To make the top and back fit properly I use a radiused piece of wood (28' for the top & 16' for the back) to get everything right to accept the top and back. I just use block plane and sanding block to get the rims right. |
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| Author: | Doug Balzer [ Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
Mottola has a great description of how to use radius boards here: http://liutaiomottola.com/construction/Ribs.htm |
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| Author: | Mike OMelia [ Sat Jan 05, 2013 11:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How do you prepare the sides for a radiused soundboard |
Use a 25 to 28 foot radius for the top. Mike |
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