Is anyone making Ladder braced guitars?

[Truckjohn]

I have made 2 small body ladder braced guitars based on an old Stella. Its a hobby for me.. No selling.

I have to say - for a small guitar, I really like ladder bracing a whole lot. Not so much on large body guitars.... But for stuff that falls into the size 1 and 0 size and smaller - they are fantastic.

[Bill Pillmore]

Originally Posted by Brad Goodman

I make 'em.

My Alfie Smith Gambler model is a Ladder braced 14 fret triple 0 body shape with a 12 fret neck.

Thanks for the reply.
I'm looking for a larger guitar OM ish size with 12 fret neck.
Also not interested in a tail piece.

[Bill Pillmore]

I got a response from Johann Brentrup. He is no longer making instruments due to COPD and can't deal with the dust and fumes any longer.

[jmat]

Pity about Johann. I always enjoyed seeing his builds.

[redir]

Originally Posted by Truckjohn

I have made 2 small body ladder braced guitars based on an old Stella. Its a hobby for me.. No selling.

I have to say - for a small guitar, I really like ladder bracing a whole lot. Not so much on large body guitars.... But for stuff that falls into the size 1 and 0 size and smaller - they are fantastic.

I've never built one but it's on my bucket list. I have a very old one though, BRW with ladder braces spruce top and it's just a killer guitar. I love it. And that's the one I plan on copying. I agree, they are fantastic! It's punchy and loud, a finger pickers dream.

[Bill Pillmore]

Here's an update to this old thread.
Well Paul Woolson offered to build me an ladder braced OM.
It will have a double spruce top and back and sides of really close grain white oak. It might be ready by the Woodstock show so if you are going it may be a fun thing to see and play. It has a 1 13/16" wide neck, 12 fret, short scale 24.75", raised fretboard sound port and a cutaway. With very little "bling".

[murrmac123]

Originally Posted by Bill Pillmore

It will have a double spruce top

You might want to explain further for the benefit of members who could conceivably be puzzled as to what a "double spruce top " might be ...

[CoolerKing]

Originally Posted by Bill Pillmore

Is anyone making Ladder braced guitars? Looking for a modern version of a ladder braced guitar for finger picking. I use to have a Fraulini Erma but I'm now looking for something in the OM size.
Thanks

Edit I see that peeps have already brought up Waterloos.

[Bill Pillmore]

Originally Posted by murrmac123

You might want to explain further for the benefit of members who could conceivably be puzzled as to what a "double spruce top " might be ...

This one is Adirondack top and Lutz inside. I'll Let Paul explain:
http://woolsonsoundcraft.com/doubletops/doubletops.html

[fazool]

This thread made me curious and I found this great comparison video.
But notice something very strange : watch Tony play the ladder braced guitar and watch the low E (6) string. It makes almost no sound. It's the weirdest thing - it's the deadest string I've ever seen.

You can see him hit it and almost no sound comes out.

[Truckjohn]

That may be an idiosynchrasy of the recording. Ladder braced guitars don't lack bass unless they are designed that way.