So I decided to post this as a seperate entry. After taking all the clamps off last night, I got to work on removing the back so I could reattach the braces. I was worried that I'd have to build a makeshift steamer for the task, but the hide glue was pretty decomposed and it popped right off after 10 minutes of working around it with a hot steak knife. I'm pausing at this stage for now because there are 3 routes I could go with the restoration. A)Completely rebrace the top using modern X bracing patterns, B)Install a bridge doctor to lower the beer belly to a playable height, or C) Use the original braces, and install a trapese tailpiece to take the tension off of the belly of the guitar. I'm waiting for Lou to decide which direction he wants me to go before I continue any futher with the top.
As far as the back goes, I should be able to use 3 of the 4 original braces that were inside the guitar. One was cracked, so I'm debating whether to glue it, or cut a new one. I may just cut a new set out of some spruce boards I have laying around so I can try to reduce the amount of warping on the back, but I'll have to get my chisels sharpened before doing that. Either way, its going smoothly and I'm 100% confident this will be playable again very soon.
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