Kerfing Installation

See the kerfing so proud? Try to ignore the dye puddling, too.

This is a post full of conjecture.  I’m pretty certain that the kerfing that was installed on the bass guitar kit was installed in ‘creative’ ways.  There is no consistency in how proud it is from the rims of the guitar body.  Since I don’t want to chisel out the kerfing and re-install it [OK, I do, but that costs more money], I’m going to have to plane, sand or carve out the bits that are a bit excessively proud.  We don’t need a bass with an ego [rimshot!].  What I understand from all of my reading, video watching, and general preparation is that when you install the kerfing you’re supposed to pre-bend it and then keep it carefully lined up as you’re putting the clamps/clothespins on the kerfing.  Since the kerfing is put in as a whole strip, but clamped on 3/8″ by 3/8″ it should be easy to visually gauge if you’re missing the height you’re after.  Kerfing wood is flexible, but it’s also still wood and now I have to try to adjust end grain – and that’s just not pretty because it’s more prone to chip and break.

The moral of the story: Do a job of installing your kerfing that you’d be proud of, but don’t make your kerfing proud.