Neck & Scroll

The following photos show the process of preparing the blocks and ribs.  The ribs were bent on a bending iron (not shown).

Spruce is selected for the blocks. Care is taken to ensure growth rings align to the joints.
Prepared blocks ready for gluing to the mold. Glue only one side with hide glue and use soap else where around the mold to prevent the glue from sticking.
The clamped blocks
Two completed molds with blocks
Blocks are shaped with an in-channel gouge, Only the inside of the c-bouts at this point.
Planing the back 1/2 of the rib
Planing the front 1/2 of the rib
To effectively plane the flamed rib the blade must be razor sharp and only very thin shavings are taken
I use a scraper plane for the final finish
Ribs are planed to 1.0mm for this instrument
This clamping block is used to push the ribs onto the blocks. Any gaps will be touched up on the bending iron.
Re-drawing the points based on the template. The clamping blocks can be seen as well.
The cut line is ready
Ready for clamping the upper and lower bout ribs
Two sets of ribs, the upper has the corners trimmed
Cutting the mortise for the c-bout lining
Gluing on the lining
Two completed rib garlands
A nice photo of a finished corner block
A view of the flaming