Well I've got the new back joined and braced, ready to close the box again.
And this time all pieces spend some time in the hot box before bracing and gluing plates to rims. I'm learning.

Braces are carved and back sealed with a coat of shellac. This walnut doesn't have a strong ringing tap tone, with the un-carved braces it sounded close to cardboard. Then I was pleasantly surprised as I carved them down, that the plate developed a decent tap tone.
Looking closely at the top I see a bit of separation starting at the glue seam, luckily no splitting like the back did, but obviously the top was also glued to the rims in less than ideal conditions. Okay, I get it, I've learned now to closely monitor and control the humidity when bracing and closing boxes! Some of us have to learn the hard way!

So I've cleated these sections with cross-grain spruce and HHG using magnets to clamp in place.

And yes there is some nice curl in this back, thanks again Dennis!

I've sealed the inside with a coat of shellac to help slow down the box's response to humidity swings, and it's ready for closing after spending a little time in the phone booth.

I'm using fish glue to close the box thanks to it's long open time.
All for now,
Joe