"NorthIdahoWWer" writes:

In the first instance I'm wondering if the wood was cupped, etc. and not
in contact.

Full contact. The boards were run through the planer.

You stated that you placed a single bead on the face of the fir
before clamping the first time. Did you spread the bead so that
glue covered the entire surface, or did you expect the clamping
pressure to redistribute the glue? What were the dimensions of the
face of the board, in particular what was the width?