Is it OK if my back set is just a smidge too narrow?

[ScooberJake]

I am planning to build a guitar based around the Gibson AJ using J-45 plans (can't seem to find any AJ plans). The plans state that the lower bout is 16 3/32" wide. Could I use a back set that is listed at 8" wide? The 16" total width (less a little bit for jointing?) is obviously smaller than the width of the the lower bout. But I believe that the shortfall would easily be covered when installing binding. Correct?

[ken cierp]

To the best of my knowledge a J45 is 16" wide at the lower bout. At least that's the slope shoulder kit we make and sell.

[peter havriluk]

Use a full-depth backstrip like Grizzly sells?

[ken cierp]

LMII states the J45 LB to be 15.9 and I scrolled down this vintage site and it appears that 16" is the number.

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson6.html

[ScooberJake]

Thanks for the info, Ken. I was looking at the plans here ultimate-guitar-building.com/j45-acoustic-guitar-plans I knew they weren't a great representation of the J-45, partially because they have the long scale rather then the short. But since what I really want is an AJ, which does have the long scale, I was hoping to use those. I suppose I could use J-45 plans from LMI or somewhere else, and then work out the scale changes on my own, though that scares me a little bit on my first build.

But I suppose the original question still interests me. If my back is 1/16" shy on each side, would that be a problem? That material would get removed for binding anyway, right? Peter's solution might be a better option, but I'm curious if a slightly small back would still work.

[ken cierp]

Yes adding a center strip is a very good idea.

[TonyinNYC]

When you cut out the back profile, you can that the sections from the waist area and join them to the lower bout to ensure you have enough width. I have done that with tops and backs. Works great and its extra insurance against the missing width being wider than the binding.