Which Side Up?

[Ray Ussery]

May sound silly...but I'm getting ready to glue up a western red cedar top...
I've gone through all of the motions to be sure I have everything in place so I don't have to search for anything...

I've made my shooting board and have a light free joint....I made up a gluing board like Ken uses with the wedges....all in line...tape on board and clamping caul so no gluing to anything I don't want..

I have the side I want to be the "Finished" side down...the bracing side is UP....
which side will have less glue to remove? Which side should be "UP"? I know I can take a damp towel and wipe away 90% of the glue on the up side....but what about the side facing the tape on the board? Is it going to spread and leave a mess to clean up after it is dried?

To me...the bracing side should be down so that I can clean up what will be the top showing when it's on the guitar....doesn't mean I won't clean up the brace side...but that side of the joint will be covered in the end...am I right?

Thanks for your replies,

Ray :>)

[Dave Bagwill]

That's the way I do it, fwiw...

[Ray Ussery]

Thanks Dave! Off I go...wish me luck...there is however a really nice high 1000 ft or so bridge I can jump off of if I screw up THIS top! I think this guitar is jinxed or something! HA!

Naaaah, it's just ME...and I'm afraid of high places soooo I just have to stick it out!! :>)