Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteyPower16
…I am speculating as to why Taylor made the switch. Was it purely for tonal reasons? Was it to distinguish itself from Martin, and also from earlier Taylor, boosting demands or new sales? Was it to save money per build?
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The object behind the development of the V-bracing, as I understand it, was to achieve a better balance between volume and sustain and to reduce harmonic distortion. The soundboard, like an amplifier, alters harmonics so they deviate even more from multiples of the fundamental notes. In other words, Andy Powers wanted to improve the intonation of the soundboard, not the intonation of the fretboard and strings.
I don’t think economizing was a factor. If one considers the development costs, it is unlikely that V-bracing reduced costs to a meaningful degree at all. I also don’t think tone was a primary goal.