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Please explain for me the reason to glue the back to sides before top.
Seems to me, top first gives open access to area we need to have mosst access.
Keeping work surface CLEAN, spray coat of shellac and 2-3mm plastic sheet oover top taped to sides would offer enough protection.
Thanks,

It's my understanding that most glue the top last because they want a nice clean look inside the guitar. By leaving the top off, you can clean up any squeeze out on the back plates and tart things up before the top is fitted.

No one can see the underside of the top of a finished guitar without the aid of a mirror and light, make sense.

Cheers

Kim

    Like todd
   It doesn't matter but I do glue the back on for common sense , I can clean the back off easier without the top on.

What Todd said.

I am a back first man myself - no jokes please - for the reasons that Kim indicated but I am rethinking this so I can get at the braces once the top is on the rim.

I have been noticing that when I glue a plate I never get any drips anymore so perhaps it's time to do the top first.

The majority of classical builders always put the back on last.  While you can not see the face of the top (and protecting it with a 2-3mm plastic sheet makes sense), you can see everything else.  If you are gluing your back braces to your back first and are doing that in a go bar deck using a dish, you have a complete view of any squeeze out and anything else that is on the back.

Either way works, it is just a matter of what works best for you. 

I do the other. I glue the top on first because I do some voicing of the top
and brace carving after it is on the rims while still in the mold. Tap tuning
for me is much easier that way instead of using a free plate.   It is an ES
thing. taboooooooooo!!!!!!!

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

As stated I think the single most common reason most glue backs first is to insure a plate joint that is extra clean in appearance because that is the internal joint that is easily seen.

I know in minority here, but I do them now at the same tme. Whether in the press system used previously and now in shop, or using cam clamps.

I found when learning this that I had a tendency to use to much glue for them and caused more squeeze out. I don't use hide glue so maybe more time (I try to work quick, but not hurried. Big difference).

I Put glue on rim (for back first) then set in press, then clean, then glue on rim top and then clamp or press. I found in time (and instruction) not need so much glue is needed. After applying glue on rim, I pat excess off with finger. Get a good amount to make sure bond, but eliminate to much for a lot of squeeze out. I then wipe down the outer part of rim. You should be able to clean inside if needed, but shouldn't after get used to this not be an issue. Can have the top and back on and out of clamps or press in less than an hour. I know this time makes a lot of difference in small production shops, where time is money.

I learned this technique at shops use to work in and will apply it to my own. I used to put back on first for some reason noted in other parts of threads.

I have found a lot less glue can be used than I previouly thought or did. Main thing I found is making sure prior to glue is good fits whether tuck or not tuck braces. I also in dry fits now make sure not a lot of over hang off rims, particulary at the blocks (that is for several reasons).

Becouse i cut my dovetail fully by hand i have to glue my top on first then
cut my dovetail socket and glue my back on second.
it also give me time to do the final clean up etc of my bracing.

joel.

I was going to say it's an ES thing. In the few tops I've seen from his students, the top goes on first - presumably for voicing reasons. Makes sense.

As Shawn said - for classicals, if you build without an outside model and use a Spanish heel, then you probably glue the top to the neck before the sides even come into play. The guitar is pretty much put together from front to back.

For a steel string, I agree with Andy - I want to be able to hear what the top and side assembly sound like before I lose access to the braces, so I think the back goes on last regardless of the guitar type.

Jim

_________________
Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

I'm a top first guy. I like to do a little fine tuning of braces before I close it up. I also practiced using just the right amount of glue on the top so I got very minimal squeeze out. Once I learned the correct amount of glue to use, putting on the back without being able to clean it up has work out great.

The current guitar has a sound port in the upper bout, so you can really inspect the inside workmanship. Doesn't matter if you think that a sound port is a benefit or not, it certainly forces you to lift your standards for fit and finish on the inside of the guitar. 

_________________
Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
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Cairns, Australia