Kenneth Michael Guitars est.1978

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KMG "Success Kit" Gluing the Back

Once the edges of the top have been trimmed even with the sides, the rim can be repositioned in the mold in preparation for gluing on the back.

Place the back on the rim to temporally secure with rubber bands. Check to make sure the back center reinforcement strip clears the neck and tail block --- trim if necessary.

Carefully adjust the back to make sure the center seam of the back aligns with the centerlines of the upper and lower bouts.

With a sharp pencil mark the intersection points of both edges of each back brace. Use a straight edge to connect these marks and draw a line across the kerfing. Mark the notch depth line as described in the top assembly section.

Score the depth of each notch with a utility knife LEAVING the line.

Make multiple cuts with a razor saw at each notch. Chip out the notch with a small chisel, if necessary smooth the notches with a small file or sand paper.

Rubber band the back to the rim and check to make sure all the notches are deep enough the notches should act as location tabs helping to center the back.

Make a practice run, clamping the back to the rim using the special caul. It is not necessary to install all the screws at this time

Once satisfied with the back fit and alignment, remove the caul. Apply glue along the kerfing, use your finger or a stick to push the glue off the inside edge of the kerfing. This will minimize the squeeze out on the inside of the guitar and the difficulties involved in clean up.

Apply glue to the neck and tail blocks using the same strategy of keeping the glue off the inside edges.

Apply the clamping caul, install the screws all around the perimeter – slowly tighten exert even pressure along the entire rim. A small amount of glue squeeze out should appear. Clean up the glue squeeze out and visually check for perfect rim to back contact

Check for perfect contact at the neck block looking through the sound hole. Clean up any glue squeeze out.

Trimming  off  the Top or Back Perimeter Overhang