Soundboard too narrow

[Dave Bagwill]

I have some nice Englemann for a top - but the lower bout of the guitar I"m building is 16", and the spruce boards are only 7 1/2".

What is the best way to add some material to the lower bout?

[John Parchem]

Take some cutoff from where the waist will be and glue on a couple of wings. Just like you can get center seem that you can not see in the center join, I suspect you can join the wings such that it would take a magnifying glass looking for the short seem at the widest part of the bout.

[Dave Bagwill]

Sounds good, thanks John.

[Herman]

Add those scraps and make a fancy inlay , wide purfling or armrest.
Or Dave, make a smaller guitar (sorry for offending your intelligent mind)
Herman

[Dave Bagwill]

Thank you H for that incredibly insightful set of comments!

I've decided to inlay a picture of the Playmate of the Year for 1965 to cover up the troublesome area.

[John Parchem]

...
I've decided to inlay a picture of the Playmate of the Year for 1965 to cover up the troublesome area.

Probably need one on each side ... I suppose a strip down the center with the picture below the sound hole would work as well.

[Dave Bagwill]

I may have to review a number of years playmates to make an informed decision.