To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=115364
7 messages

Tech: guitar bracing question

17 Oct 08 - 06:23 PM (#2468659)
Subject: Tech: guitar bracing question
From: olddude

I never really understood the different bracing makes on guitar sound. Does it really make a difference in sound or is just the wood that makes a difference. What is Scalloped bracing. I think I understand x bracing like the martins all had but I read now they are switching to scalloped bracing?

can someone please explain this to me


17 Oct 08 - 07:08 PM (#2468702)
Subject: RE: Tech: guitar bracing question
From: s&r

Pictures

Stu


17 Oct 08 - 07:28 PM (#2468720)
Subject: RE: Tech: guitar bracing question
From: olddude

Thank you now I get it

I appreciate it. I googled and saw the pictures on another site but they didn't explain it

thanks again


18 Oct 08 - 05:15 AM (#2468984)
Subject: RE: Tech: guitar bracing question
From: Richard Bridge

I'd expect the larger bridge plate to reduce the resonant frequency and so give more bass.


18 Oct 08 - 08:06 AM (#2469046)
Subject: RE: Tech: guitar bracing question
From: Bernard

A more rigid structure = less bass?

Okay, the volume of the body and shape and size of the soundhole also play their part.


18 Oct 08 - 09:07 AM (#2469088)
Subject: RE: Tech: guitar bracing question
From: John Hardly

Bracing (both patterns and weight) makes MORE difference than wood variety.


18 Oct 08 - 10:53 AM (#2469146)
Subject: RE: Tech: guitar bracing question
From: Mooh

Bracing is way more important than most guitar folks seem to beleive. I've played complete dogs of guitars with great looking tops which opened up substantially once the braces were shaved (this won't always work, but often does), and played lousy looking tops with great tone. It's the whole package which is important but the bracing which is critical. (One of my flattops, a small body one, improved greatly when it was shaved and one brace removed.) Some of this sort of work is pretty expensive unless one knows to do it one's self, or is well connected with the builder and repair folks.

There are some builders using a sort of girder style bracing with holes drilled through them, and others using I beam style braces, and still others using laminated braces and struts and the like. Amazing numbers of choices outside of the mainstream.

Peace, Mooh.