The glue joint between the bridge and the top is critical and requires good clamping while the glue sets. The customary method is to use C-clamps through the sound hole. That option isn't available when the top has a small sound hole that is offset and tucked way up in a corner of the upper bout. Another problem is that speed is important when getting the clamp in place because I use hot hide glue, which begins to set up very quickly once applied to the joint. I've found that the best solution is to use vacuum pressure. I made this little clamping device, which can be put in place very quickly and applies even pressure on the entire bridge, which is important to achieving a strong joint.
