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Send Rubbing

To do the rubbing, you'll need a piece of regular printer paper.

Please DO NOT use tracing paper.

Standard printer/copier paper is how my process works to give you the best fit.

(Note: Scans, photos, or photocopies will distort the image size, and since I am hand cutting them, I want them to be as close as possible for your satisfaction.)

Tape the paper to the top of the instrument, or have a friend hold the paper still so it doesn't shift (this is very important to avoid ghost images due to shifting).

For older instruments with a fragile finish, have a friend hold the paper.

Using the side of the lead from a regular #2 pencil, (not the mechanical kind - you need the wide lead to get good results) rub back and forth across the edge of the hole.

You will see the side-to-side scribbles and a slightly darker line start to appear where the edge of the pencil bumps against the edge of the hole.

As you do this all the way around, you will see a thin outline of the hole appear under the scribbles.

You may need to try rubbing from a different angle to reveal the top and bottom curls. Don't make it too dark. I'll need to see the continuous line all the way around.

Ensure the line is complete, especially at the rounded ends where the top and bottom of the f-hole curve around. It may take you a couple of tries.

Also, be sure there are no two lines where the paper has shifted.

I will need you to mail the actual rubbing since sending a scan affects the dimensions. (It may look right, but it will be off enough to affect the fit.)

Before you mail it, please send me a quick picture (upload below) of the rubbing so I can assess its usability.