Matthew Refining the Top

Before gluing in the top, I took the clamping caul I made for gluing in my bridge plate a few weeks ago and made a new caul. I will use that to glue on the bridge after my guitar is finished. I added some more plywood, cork and plexi so it will fit over the braces.



The last step before gluing on the top is called "voicing the top". The braces on the back of my top are meant for not only strength and stability but play an important role in how the guitar sounds. So voicing involves a process of checking for stiffness as shown by my teacher David Vincent.


Tapping the board and listening for the value of the tone.


Then shaping and resizing the braces to get the best possible sound.

Here is a before and after...