Technical stuff: Bookmatching…now shut up and build something

The next step after the wood is dried there needs to be some processing to make guitar parts. I’ll start with electric guitar tops and backs. The first type of match is the traditional version where panels are pealed from a board in sequence, and they are opened like a book to make the match. The book match does two things. It gives symmetry and creates a center line that the instrument is built around.

The second book match is that of the end grain. For electric guitar backs, the board is cut across the length, and the board is closed on one edge creating a book match of the end grain. This can be seen from the bottom of the instrument, and there is no apparent match on the face of the back of the instrument.

All this talk (writing) is no goods without anything behind it. So here it is. Today I glued up 2 tops and backs for the electric guitar. Basswood backs and flamey maple tops. Tomorrow I’ll get them planed and sanded to thickness. From here I’ll finalize the shape, and get the maple laid up on the basswood. And cut out the rough shape.