Viola da gamba making, Part 9 initial assembly of the sides

In the next two episodes of the viola da gamba making process I will focus on the assembly of the sides. This is a moldless construction without corner blocks. I begin with rough cutting and thicknessing flamed maple boards. Next I soak them in water bend them into shape on a hot iron. Then I glue the ribs to the back one at a time reinforcing the joins with linen strips soaked in hide glue.