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  #1  
Old 08-06-2010, 06:45 AM
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Kitchen Guitars Kitchen Guitars is offline
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Default Mahogany top wood Braces?

I am doing Sycamore back and sides 00 cutaway. I figure the tone will be a touch muddy. Wide grain Aidi top. I have Sitka, Aidi and Mahogany bracewood. I uses Sitka for the back braces but I was thinking Mahogany braces for the top might add some punch to the tone. BTW Osage Orange for the Bridge plate.
What do you think???? Experiences please!
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Old 08-06-2010, 07:47 AM
Neil K Walk Neil K Walk is offline
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I would think that they'd actually "deaden" the tone but I'm no expert. Have you considered trying the adi?
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Old 08-06-2010, 10:55 AM
arie arie is offline
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As mahogany is pretty porous stuff, I wonder whether it'll glue up to your sycamore well enough or not.
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Old 08-06-2010, 11:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arie View Post
As mahogany is pretty porous stuff, I wonder whether it'll glue up to your sycamore well enough or not.
It would be up against the Aidi.
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Old 08-06-2010, 12:22 PM
jalbert jalbert is offline
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I've only heard of this being done once, on a demonstrator that Taylor built with Macassar ebony back and sides. I saw it during a factory tour. Brian Swerdfeger commented that the guitar was best suited for heavy strumming. Just for fun, here's a picture. You can see the back bracing which also appears to be (unstained) mahogany:



Nice rosette, too...
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Old 08-06-2010, 02:08 PM
Brackett Instruments Brackett Instruments is offline
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I use Mahogany sometimes for back braces. You'll be better off sticking with Spruce for the top braces. Mahogany isn't stiff enough.
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Old 08-07-2010, 04:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woody b View Post
I use Mahogany sometimes for back braces. You'll be better off sticking with Spruce for the top braces. Mahogany isn't stiff enough.
Thanks, I figured Mahogany stronger than Spruce. I guess the hog goes back in the pen
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Old 08-12-2010, 10:41 PM
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Here's somogyi on the principles of guitar design. There's a bit about tapered bracing in there if you scroll down (anyone else think that's a good idea?).

I guess a stiff wood like spruce will be best for creating a light, responsive top on the grounds that you'll need less of it.
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Old 08-12-2010, 11:23 PM
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It would work and it would sound just like a guitar when you were done. I'm thinking it would sound like a very cheap guitar, but feel free to give it a try.

Seriouls now, for the way most people think about materials for the top, 'hog's strength to weight ratio is too low, not nearly as good as spruce.
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Old 08-13-2010, 04:08 AM
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I hear you guys! I already cut the Adi braces. Mahogany is shelved! Thanks for the replies.
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