Cumpiano & Natelson Steel String back and side blank dimensions?

[Kristoffer Ross]

Good evening!
My sincere thanks for this forum, I've spent a lot of productive time browsing the digital library over the last month, and here I am with my first build question:
I am getting ready to order the sets for my first guitar. (yay!) I will be following the Cumpiano & Natelson book, & I plan to let it settle into the local low humidity (Northeastern U.S, in winter with wood heat) while I get my current project further along.*
I have my eye on a nice eastern black walnut set on Ebay, with slight amount of curl in the the back, but fairly straight-grained sides. However, in double checking the dimensions in Guitarmaking, I cannot find any reference to the size of the side blanks. Am I overlooking it, or is it not included because it will vary when making the template?
The set I'm looking has backs 8.1" x 22", and sides 5" x32", both unjointed. The book specifies the soundbox as 20"l x 8"w at the lower bout. Does this look like a safe bet, or am I cutting the back width or side length too close?
Many thanks,
~Kristoffer
*My current project in a teardrop, flat top mandolin based on the Musicmaker's plans.

[Peter Wilcox]

The book has the specs in the very back under "Bill of Materials", pp 382 and 383 in my edition. The back is 8" X 20" min, and sides 5" X 32" for steel string, which is what I presume you're making, so you should be OK.

[Kristoffer Ross]

Thanks, Peter!
I don't know how I missed that...
Best,
~Kristoffer

[Peter Wilcox]

Hi Kristoffer - It took me a long time to find that too - it's not very well placed or referenced. But the book was a huge help in getting me through my first build (though it was an Irish bouzouki, not a guitar), and I still refer to it often.

Good luck with your instrument - there's lots of help in the book, and on this site too.

In case you're unaware of it, Cumpiano has a website with updates and new information that is also quite helpful.

https://www.cumpiano.com/publications

[Kristoffer Ross]

Hi, Peter,
My apologies for the much delayed response, and my thanks for your helpfulness. The amount of experienced and generous people on this forum is staggering.
I just received a nice set of walnut in the mail the other day, I'll be letting it acclimate in my house for a good while.
Regards,
~Kristoffer