Ladder braced question

[resodziadzu]

Picked up a $5 tag sale Cort acoustic with the bridge ripped off. Decided to rebuild it with a ladder braced soundboard, intending to use a pattern similar to the old Sovereigns. There is no problem getting a curved radius in the soundboard, in the direction perpendicular to the strings, just curve the braces. But what does one do in the direction parallel to the strings to establish a curvature???

[charles Tauber]

Contour the gluing surface of the sides to the desired curvature. Then glue the top to them, forcing the top to conform to the curvature dictated by the sides.

More difficult and involved than is sounds.

[stanron]

In these days of radius dishes and all round super precise building techniques my approach is going to be too simplistic for many, but I glue curved braces to the top and then glue the top to a flat kerfing surface with as many spool clamps as possible. It works for me.

[murrmac123]

Originally Posted by stanron

In these days of radius dishes and all round super precise building techniques my approach is going to be too simplistic for many, but I glue curved braces to the top and then glue the top to a flat kerfing surface with as many spool clamps as possible. It works for me.

Worked for Martin as well ... isn't that how all the great vintage guitars were made?

[John Arnold]

Worked for Martin as well ... isn't that how all the great vintage guitars were made?

For the most part, the tops on vintage guitars were glued to a flat rim. A notable exception is Larson.

[resodziadzu]

Originally Posted by stanron

In these days of radius dishes and all round super precise building techniques my approach is going to be too simplistic for many, but I glue curved braces to the top and then glue the top to a flat kerfing surface with as many spool clamps as possible. It works for me.

This sounds good to me. Thanks all for your replies.

[LouieAtienza]

Realize if you do this you should also check the subsequent nech angle to ensure you have proper string height. It wouldn't be hard to effect a cylindrically shaped rim using a flat surface covered in sandpaper.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by resodziadzu

But what does one do in the direction parallel to the strings to establish a curvature???

Gluing a flat top, arched side to side, to flat rims/sides will leave the top flat along its length/parallel to the strings. If you are looking to create a curvature along the top's length, flat rims with a flat top won't accomplish that.

Whether you want or need a curvature along the length of the top is another question.

[redir]

I don't put a curve in the top parallel to the strings but more of a cant or angle or dip from just north of the waist to the neck block. That way there is no fall away from the body fret joint to the end of the fretboard.