Richard, You wrote: <<On p. 62 is a "soundboard repair clamp". (wire, locking nut and wingnut) But this looks like one must have access to both sides of the soundboard. Is this correct?>> While I have not yet done this on my own, I assisted with a mentor using these clamps. They are very nice. You can drill the necessary hole using a piece of piano wire chucked into a drill. The wire needs to have a sharp point on the end to get it started. You will then have a hole which is just right for the soundboard repair clamp. If you wish, you can plug the hole with a toothpick after finishing the repair. One neat thing about using piano wire to drill the hole is that you can bend the wire up to 90 degrees or so if you are working next to a brace that would not have the clearance for the body of the drill. Some access to both sides would indeed by necessary, as it is a clamp. Is the rib separation in a place that is not very accessible from the inside? Hope this helps. John Formsma Blue Mountain, MS
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