I start to get glimmerings. Thanks mooman and spaw and others. That book is in print in a recent edition, and avalable through Amazon - they say there's a voloume 2 as well. My library doesn't seem to have it, but I might put in a request for them to borrow it in from elsewhere -in the meantime I've put a hold on this one, which they've got a copy of on the other side of the county: Guitar repair: a manual of repair for guitars and fretted instruments / Irving Sloane.

Would you say that little rectangle block in middle is how it is supposed to be, or a later addition, and would it be a good idea to keep it anyway? I'd be inclined to do so.

I think it'll be into the autumn before I get round to doing anything about this other than reading and gathering information. But it could be fun. I'll report back. (Unless I make a total cod's arse of it...)