Finishing the top

With the soundhole ring inlaid, Kirk turns his attention to bracing the top. First, the wood is trimmed to the template (notice it now has the cutaway). Then Kirk installs the bracing.

The reinforcement patch on the upper right is where the channels for the slider controls will be cut.

Our mutual friend John Knowles stopped by Kirk's shop while the top was being finished. Here John is conducting olfactory testing of the soundhole. (He assured me that the top smells as good as it looks.)

photo by Kirk Sand, courtesy of John Knowles

Here's a closeup of the completed top. Check out the grain of the Brazilian rosewood ring.

photo by John Knowles

The top is inlaid, trimmed, braced, and ready to glue to the sides.

photo by John Knowles

Next, gluing the top!

-Craig