Question for Charlie D

[Scotti Adams]

...hey Charlie.. I visited the Showcase when I was in town during SPBMGA...great place. As I was watching the fellow cutting and marking for tone bars he was gluing in 2 little 1/4 inch dowels in shallow precut holes on the inside of the top....uh...what in the heck are those fer? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Chris Baird]

Those are tone dowels. You're letting all of Gibson's secrets out of the bag. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I use them too. They not only increase the hypothetical tone but they also allow me to put the top and back on fast and glue it up just right without spazing out as the hide glue clock ticks down.

[Charlie Derrington]

Top and back locating pins.

It's to ensure those parts line up correctly on the headblock and endblock. And Chris, you're right (even with a little pee in the hide glue) it's still a race against time.

They originally used nails, but I opted for dowels.

Charlie

[Scotti Adams]

..Thanks Chas..I thought it had something to do with that..