#1
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hybrid bracing
Looking for some input from luthiers out there...
I'm learning how to build guitars and did my first build as a parlor. I am thinking about fiddling with the design, partially because the top has a bit of sink. I could approach this by making the next build with heavier bracing, but I was also toying with the idea of a bracing experiment. Has anyone ever tried or seen a guitar design that uses your basic x-brace design, but laces a purely horizontal brace running between the lower arms of the x-brace? In other words, a mild hybrid of ladder-bracing and x-bracing? ST |
#2
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Larrivee guitars have done that for decades.
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#3
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...and they sound just fine
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#4
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As mentioned it's been done before but I would not consider that to be a hybrid ladder/X-Brace type design. It's a true X-Brace design and will have the tones associated with the X-Brace.
Long ago before X-BRace guitars there were straight ladder braced guitars. Then the hybrid came out where one or two of the ladder braces were placed on angles but still reached across the lower bout. No doubt that was done because manufacturers noticed the deficiency of the ladder braced design and top damage from string tension and so on. But they still sounded like ladder braced guitars. |
#5
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horizontal braces
For L'Arrivee and the other example mentioned, are the braces set horizontally and running between the X-Braces? Or at an angle?
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#6
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Horizontal between X braces.
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#7
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gives more support and a more balanced sound. You may like that sound, many do. I dont think its a very interesting sound myself. Did you put the bridge on top of the x braces? Some beginners dont do that and it makes for a weak top. Perhaps your top was too thin, many possibilities.
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#8
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Martin's hybrid bracing involves an A frame design in the upper bout that locks two braces into a neck block extension but still has two angle lower face braces. Larrivee's bracing pattern is called "symmetrical" and the profile of the braces are parabolic with no scalloping.
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(2006) Larrivee OM-03R, (2009) Martin D-16GT, (1998) Fender Am Std Ash Stratocaster, (2013) McKnight McUke, (1989) Kramer Striker ST600, a couple of DIY builds (2013, 2023) |