I am very happy to announce this
breakthrough in the kerfing lining I use. This is A4 kerfing.
As you know, the kerfing is the
element that creates the corner of the guitar box so the two thin
plates can be glued together with a solid and sound joint. Here its
astonishing flexibility is shown in the normal axis.
It is called A4 because it easily
bends in all 4 axes simultaneously, something not possible with
traditional kerfing liner. Here it is shown bending against its long
axis.
Bending in this axis as well as
the narrow axis means that one single piece of kerfing can run from
the headblock through the cutaway and to below the waist. The
development of A4 took many months.
Here is a close-up of the
cross-section. Note also the cool, black "racing stripe" along the
top corner. This distinguishes it from every other style of kerfing
in the world.
Being ultra-flexible means that
the gluing surface is easily and lightly clamped to the ribs
creating the perfect glue joint--full wood to wood contact under
light pressure.
Being ultra-flexible also means
one piece can create a handsome and consistent look. This unique
design also means there is more surface for the back to glue to as
well.
Of interest to other luthiers is
the fact that because of the proprietary design, there is no glue
squeeze-out when it is applied. The glue has multiple "voids" to
escape into instead of squeezing out onto the side where it must be
removed.
The ultra-flexibility additionally
means that the kerfing can precisely follow the exact radius of the
sides without being cut and faceted. This makes for full-height
kerfing and a stunning look.
It is genuine mahogany, has an
incredibly clean and crisp appearance, has the unique A4 "racing
stripe", efficiently uses wood otherwise unusable and has a high
"cool" factor.
And now standard on every guitar
that leaves my workbench. Just the continuing pursuit of art and
engineering to create an instrument made like no other.
