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Monthly Update 
April 2009
In This Issue
Product Highlights
Luthier's Tip
Quick Links
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Roger
Dear Luthiers,

Tools we use...

This month, we're introducing a product that Ken and I developed for our own use when assembling instruments. We were looking to improve the regular spool clamps; we wanted something that would have compressible pads that would keep their force against the wood as the glue cured and shrunk and the joint closed up. We wanted a clamp we could put in place, push the spools against the instrument without having them slip back, and then just spin up the wing nuts. And we wanted pressure pads that would not mar the wood when tightened.

Over time, we built many variations and finally ended up with a set of spool clamps that really worked. In keeping with my goal of sharing what we know and use, it wasn't long before we decided to make these clamps available to our fellow luthiers. So, it is with great pleasure that I announce our new spool clamp sets. They are featured in the Product highlight section below.

On the subject of sharing what we know, a few months back, I announced that we will be starting our Luthierie Camp program in the fall. I will be giving you full details next month, but until then, I thought you might want to mark the date on your calendar. Our first class will be on mandolin building and will be held here in Atascadero, CA during the week of October 4-9, 2009. More info to follow next month.


Thanks for building with us...

Roger
The language of luthierie

I've had some interesting conversations recently with some luthier friends about the merits of bookleafing over bookmatching and found that many people are using the words interchangeably, not really aware that there is quite a difference between the two methods.

Bookmatching and bookleafing both refer to a method of joining two pieces of wood to achieve a two-piece backboard or soundboard that features a mirror image of the grain. Bookleafing is the process of splitting a solid piece of wood, then laying the two halves open (like opening a book) and gluing the piece together along their common edge. If the grain is absolutely vertical through the two halves, each side of the joined board will resemble the other in grain and in the direction of the figure (curl, burl, quilt, bird's eye, etc.).
Backboard
Bookmatching is the process of cutting (not splitting) a board in half and gluing the common edge. Book matching is an excellent way to prepare backboards, especially if the wood has been flat-sawn.

It may be difficult to appreciate how the alignment of the grain might be different when you lay open bookleafed halves, but envision the wood's grain (the direction of the annular rings) in the bookleafed illustration and see what happens when if grain is not vertical; the figure in both halves will be mirrored, but the grain will not be.

The language of luthierie is interesting enough that it stimulated me to compile all the words I know in a book entitled Siminoff's Luthiers Glossary - I hope you have a copy at your workbench.
Product Highlights

Clamp Set SPOOL CLAMP SET - Siminoff Spool Clamps are constructed with a threaded steel shaft fitted with two hard rubber collars (spools) that will not mark the soundboard or backboard. The durometer of the rubber collars permits them to be squeezed during tightening and expand as the glue cures and shrinks - a process that results in constant pressure during the entire gluing process. The spools can be slid in place and will stay until tightened by a single wing nut. Adjustable for use on mandolins and mandolas. The part number is #3000, and the price per set of 24 is $39.95 plus P&H.

BackboardSINGLE SPOOL CLAMP
- Siminoff Spool Clamps are available as single parts to add to your set or for use on smaller instruments (e.g., ukuleles) where fewer clamps may be needed. Rubber cap on threaded shaft prevents loss of wing nut and possible scratching of the hand or arm. The part number is #3005 and each spool clamp is $2.50 plus P&H.


NOTE: Please consult the Shipping & Returns page on our website for a P&H table.
Luthier's Tip: Ribs that change shape

During construction or when repairing an instrument where the backboard has been removed, it is fairly common that the shape of the rib will change somewhat making it difficult to achieve a perfect mating of the parts during final assembly.
Mandolin
While the cause may be of some interest, it is usually more practical to adjust the shape of the rib for re-gluing rather than trying to solve the distortion problem. If, for example, the soundboard has warped (due to any one of several causes), correcting the warpage may be impossible.

I typically use a thin stick to force the rib to shape, pushing out on the ribs where I need them to expand. I use a piece of maple cut about 3/16" x 3/16" by the length needed and force it into the rib where the rib has to be pushed out. Once the backboard is glued on, I simply cut the stick into pieces by accessing it through the f-holes or soundhole, and then I remove the pieces with a long nose plier or medical forceps.

Product of the Month: Spring Cleaning - Plain Maple Backboards

It's time to do some Spring cleaning, and we have a bunch of plain maple F5 (#312-D) and A5 (#341-D) mandolin backboards (some have mild curly grain). These are all precision carved inside and out and profiled to their final outer shape (or, please let us know if you want them left oversize). For the month of April 2009 only, we're offering a special Spring Cleaning Discount, a savings of $25.00 per board (limit one board per customer). To take advantage of this special offer, use promotion code spring25plain.
Save $25.00
 
Plain Maple Backboard Special
 
April's Product of the Month: Save $25.00 on a plain maple F5 or A5 backboard. Limit one discount offer per customer. This discount may not be used with any other offer or discount. Enter spring25plain when ordering online.
Offer Valid: April 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009