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-   -   000 14fret shortscale acoustic build. (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=522354)

FPerezRoig 09-19-2018 07:33 AM

000 14fret shortscale acoustic build.
 
First post here.
This is Fran from Spain, long time amplifier/loudspeaker builder and about to build my first acoustic guitar. Thought I could share the process here, and ask for your help here and there.

It's going to be a 000 sized 14-fret to body guitar, with 24.9'' scale and 1 11/16 nut width. Adirondack top, indian rosewood back and sides.

Just finished gluing the top and back of the guitar and will start bracing both parts the next few days.

The problem is I'm following the plans found here:
http://www.grellier.fr/static/data/p..._guitar_fr.pdf

They're great and detailed, but correspond to a long scale guitar. I can calculate the bridge's new position but, what about the bridge plate under the top.
Should I modify the bracing pattern somehow to suit for the shorter scale?

Quite at a loss here, I'm afraid. Any suggestion will be strongly appreciated!

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps1aw385x1.png

mercy 09-19-2018 07:58 AM

Draw your guitar out, dont depend on the plans. The location of the bridge is fixed by its scale. The bridge plate has to go under the bridge and be a little smaller. Your X can go anywhere and the angle almost anything as long as it is under the bridge, about 100* is traditional. I think under the sides of the bridge is the best but it you want to control the bridge more you can move it to the back of the bridge. The rest of the braces can go anywhere, my opinion is that as it is your first you follow traditional placing. A little thicker bracing, say 5/16" X 1/2" is good for strumming, 1/4" X 1/2" for fingerstyle.

FPerezRoig 09-20-2018 05:10 AM

Thank you Mercy,
will follow your suggestions.

Got the radius dish and some homemade go-bars ready today, and will be bracing the top and back really soon.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps2vitvfqn.jpg

redir 09-20-2018 06:21 AM

I would be more concerned if you were going the other way round. For example going from a 25.4in scale to a 24.9. Even in that case you would probablybe fine but you want to make sure that the wings of the bridge are over the X-Brace arms else you risk the bridge peeling up at some point in the future.

And yes definitely take plans with a grain of salt. They are an aid but are generally overbuilt and sometimes make very bad mistakes.

You might consider opening the X-Brace on your shorter scaled guitar and or shifting it forward, it all just depends on what you are after.

FPerezRoig 09-20-2018 06:53 AM

Thanks redir,

I'm not sure I followed you, you mean you'd be more concerned going from 24.9'' to 25.4'', right?
Those plans I'm using correspond to a 25.4'' but I intend to build a 24.9'' guitar.

nottypine 09-20-2018 09:24 AM

On the Norman Blake 12/14 fret 000 the braces just barely run under the front corners of the bridge. The forward tone bar is actually just under the rear corner of the treble side.
Granted, this isn't your standard bracing design, they sound really nice and I haven't seen one that failed. Though I've only seen a few.

printer2 09-20-2018 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPerezRoig (Post 5842279)

Quite pretty.

redir 09-20-2018 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPerezRoig (Post 5842329)
Thanks redir,

I'm not sure I followed you, you mean you'd be more concerned going from 24.9'' to 25.4'', right?
Those plans I'm using correspond to a 25.4'' but I intend to build a 24.9'' guitar.

Yeah sorry, I'm about as dyslexic as can be.

I've not yet bent two right sides before but came awfully close once.

FPerezRoig 09-21-2018 06:05 AM

Cheers mates,

I think I should stick to a more tradicional bracing pattern, nottypine, considering this is my first attempt at building an acoustic guitar. Still lots to learn!! Great to see some alternatives, anyway.

I started carving some pieces of spruce, and back braces are coming along nicely. Being the first time I use a chisel, I think I did a decent job.
I will remove some more wood once the braces are glued, but thought it would be good idea to shape them a little beforehand.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psjr3m7gwk.jpg

John Arnold 09-21-2018 08:23 AM

I like for the X-braces to intersect the lower corners of the bridge. That is the way most forward braced 1930's Martins were laid out. OM's were only produced until 1934, so all the originals are forward braced.
If you have an accurate OM pattern, you should move the braces (X, tone, finger) and bridgeplate up by 7/32" for the shorter scale. Soundhole and upper transverse brace locations are only moved up by 1/32". I always place the upper transverse brace 5/16" from the soundhole edge.
Measurements for the soundhole and bridge are from a 1931 OM-18 (25.4 scale) and a 1944 000-21 (24.9 scale).

mercy 09-21-2018 08:30 AM

Its your guitar but Id wait to carve the braces as it will be simpler to clamp with whatever method you employ

FPerezRoig 09-21-2018 02:20 PM

Wow that really helps, thank you.

Yes, I also carved so much wood from one of the braces that I wont be able to sand It to the correct radius.

Will make some new unshaped braces and shape them once glued from now on. :up:

nottypine 09-23-2018 04:54 PM

Definitely wasn't promoting any one pattern but wanted to suggest that there are more than one set of rules.

FPerezRoig 09-24-2018 05:00 AM

Sure thank you Nottypine,
I really appreciate your suggestions.

mirwa 09-26-2018 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPerezRoig (Post 5841459)
They're great and detailed, but correspond to a long scale guitar. I can calculate the bridge's new position but, what about the bridge plate under the top.
Should I modify the bracing pattern somehow to suit for the shorter scale?

I am currently repairing a Martin 000-15M 12 fret, here is a photo of the inside of the guitar top, it may help with your decision making regarding brace layout.

Steve

http://www.mirwa.com.au/images/BRPMN4.JPG


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