Just running 2 small screws down in the string holes works just fine, I find. A lot easier than messing around with a bunch of clamps that have to bridge over bracing and mar stuff and cause the bridge to slide around to the wrong spot under clamping pressure. When it’s dry you remove the screws: done.
There’s always an easier way to do stuff, if you ponder it long enough.
I’m liking the looks of this thing and I had 3 strings on there while I was checking the bridge placement for intonation. It’s got a nice tone, from what I can tell. Very nice.
This sort of positive feedback helps the build process along. I’m getting excited.
Slight improvement to the physical plant of the shop: there is now a baseboard heater under the guitars there, thermostat set as low as it can go. It’s generating enough heat to keep the shop from dropping below freezing… comfortable enough to work with a jacket on… but right over the baseboard, the air is between 60 and 70. Perfect temp to dry glue at.