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The soundboard arch for the first Maccaferri guitar project was formed by braces carved with an arch 7mm high at the bridge area. For the second project I attempted a
pre-bent dome (Maccaferri
Project 2) with heat-bent top described below. |
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Click on the pictures for full size. |
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Here's one of the soundboard halves being bent on a hot pipe. Before bending a line was scored on the inside (0.5mm depth). The line for the bend was scored behind the bridge position, and extended only as far as the end of each moustache piece, so it was bent in the centre section, tapering to a flat edge. The final dome shape needed to look subtle, like the original Selmers. |
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Gently does it. |
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The final bend was 6 degrees, as specified in the plans from R & F Charle. |
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One side seemed to bend more easily than the other. |
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Before gluing, the edges had to be planed to match perfectly again (using a shooting board) as the heat bending had altered the alignment. |
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The edges aligned with the help of the weights on the self-supporting dome. |
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Although the scorch marks look uneven the bend matched perfectly to the scored line. |
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The longitudinal bend after gluing. |
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The soundboard after bracing. |
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Side view of the resulting dome. |
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The finished arch measured 9mm high without strings and 8mm after strings were attached. |
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More pictures of the completed guitar - here |