VAC-SYS question for clamping guitars

[Kelby]

I'm interested in getting the VAC-SYS system, and one of the uses will be to hold guitar bodies.  However, I have a question.  Guitar bodies are not flat; they are domed.  The top dome is a 25' radius, and the back dome is a 15' radius.  Will the VAC-SYS SE1 hold a slightly domed surface like that?

 

[Shane Holland]

Yes, there's a certain amount of give in the head's lip to conform to irregular shapes. You can see the chair (or whatever it is) in the attached photo has a cupped surface.

Using one of the smaller heads (like 580064) might help if the cup/crown is significant.

 

[Kelby]

Thanks!

 

[Nat X]

I'd argue that *most* guitar bodies are flat. Whether or not it'll hold a given archtop is something I'd try at a dealer if that's what you work on most frequently. It'll handle a certain amount of curvature but you may wind up using a smaller head that doesn't hold as securely as you need it to.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

If you have problems getting it to hold, a little weather stripping between the head and the workpiece might help.

 

[greg mann]

A 15' radius seems like no issue at all. That's a pretty gradual offset over the width of a guitar.

 

[Kelby]

Thanks, all.  I picked up the VAC-SYS and it works great on the guitars.  The round clamp actually imparts a tighter radius than my plates have to start with, so it works fine.