Hi, Chris,
Based on experience with harp soundboards, as long as the board is not
constrained, as it is now if you have not glued on the braces, there is
no problem with taking it into a drier place. The problems occur when
the wood is not allowed to freely expand or contract, which occurs after
it is braced and again after it is glued to the bowl.
We make our soundboards by gluing up the sections, than we take the
board into a drying cabinet for 48 hours before attaching anything that
would limit its ability to move. We are careful to see that the
moisture content is below 8% before we glue the board to the soundbox.
This way there is very little "seasonal cracking" as the humidity
changes over a year.
Best!
GHB
Chris Newman wrote:
Mike and Julien,
Many thanks for the cautionary advice
I was planning to work on the rose before bracing the soundboard
but it's sounding risky
maybe I'll just put another layer of clothes on and work in the workshop
regards
Chris
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