I experimented with paper templates to get the shape I wanted and marked it out.How did you go about creating the scallop and what did you do to make sure the binding had a good clean edge?
Then used a scalpel* to cut through the binding at each end of the scallop (leaving it a bit longer so I could go back and trim exactly to the angle and length needed).
I removed the binding from the scallop area and used a Dremel rotary tool with a 1/2" sanding drum to rough it out within my marked lines.
Once roughed out, I changed to a half-round file and eventually sandpaper smooth it out.
*edit to add: I also used the scalpel to score through the veneer on the top. I score right along my marked line so that the veneer wouldn't splinter or lift with the filing and sanding.
No, I didn't reshape the back as it was a fully finished guitar. My plan was to do the scallop on the front and see if it improved the upper access. If it the result wasn't to my liking, then I would take on reshaping the back. I was happy with just the the front scallop, so stopped there. Had I moved on to doing the back, It would have been a much bigger undertaking when it came to matching the old and new finish and could snowball into a full refinish job. I wasn't sure I was up to that commitment.Do you have a photo of what you did on the back?
I will mention that in the initial building, I did do a smaller scallop on the back at the lower horn, which was better than no scallop, but definitely made the front scallop more effective.
In hindsight, if I were starting from scratch, I would remove the binding right to the neck join (instead of leaving that little short piece like I did). Real PRS's stop the binding at the start of the scallop. I probably could have done it here, but must have though it would complicate the finishing or something. I honestly can't remember the thought process at the time.
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