Linings

The linings are strips of wood (I use spruce, but willow or lime is good too) that run all along the ribs at the "top" and the "bottom" of them - this is the area that we call seams because that is where the plates (the belly and the back) come to be glued to the ribs.

In fact the linings provide extra support to the ribs (to avoid tension and distortions) and also a bigger gluing surface for the seams.

The linings are partially set into the blocks, where with time they tend to lose their bent shape and could come unglued from the ribs (which could cause buzzes). It is not necessary to set them in at the top and bottom bouts as their natural tendency would press them closer to the ribs - if anything.