Braces are glued on by hand using a template. That is, the top is placed in a template with guides at the edge of the top. The braces are then placed between the guides and glued down. The braces are over-long so that they fit into the guides and insure exact placement.

As an aside, Collings does not change their bracing patterns even at special request. They believe their designs and the bracing pattern associated with them are at their optimal.

After the glue is dried, the braces are trimmed and then hand scalloped. This is one of the highest skill positions in the entire shop.

The top is then glued to the sides and back assembly and placed in this large scale clamp to dry.

A body freshly removed from the clamp.

The back of a maple model recently removed from the clamp.