Back bracing

[Pat.Hawkins]

Hi Folks,
In a moment of excitement (first guitar) I glued the back on and forgot to shape the front braces up into a peak.
The top's not on yet. Should I make an effort to shape the braces somehow or perhaps it really doesn't mater too much?

Not sure of the implications ..... if any?

Cheers - a much calmer beginner

[56nortondomy]

Probably be more of an appearance thing Pat, you're going to be able to see them pretty clearly through the sound hole. I shape some of my braces by getting a block of wood drilling a hole the same size as the brace then cut it in half and use it as a sanding block to radius the top of the brace, might be easier than trying to carve it. Welcome to the forum. Wayne

[Wayde Christie]

Hi Pat,

I've done the same in the past, but it's still really easy to carve the back braces with a chisel and sandpaper after they've been attached.

Recommend protecting the back by laying a thin strip of sheet metal alongside the brace while you're carving it.

Cheers,

Wayde.

[kiwigeo]

It's actually a requirement that one has made at least one gaff to qualify for membership of this forum.

[Taffy Evans]

I do the final carve an sand to the top braces after the top is glued to the rims, and before the back goes on, so doing the same to the back before the top goes on should not be difficult. I would not leave them unworked.