Where can I buy pre-made acoustic guitar braces?

[seratone]

I got a Taylor 355ce 12 string for a song due to it having dehydration top cracks, high action (unplayable), and two missing braces. (bottom 4a and 4b) - this is a work in progress project.

I got the guitar back to excellent playable condition by shaving down the saddle and keeping it in D standard - but the break angle won't allow the Piezo to pickup the E strings. It needs a neck reset.

Taylor was gracious in sending me the neck shims to reset the neck myself - and a couple of saddles.

Now for the braces... Would anyone know where I can get pre-carved 3 1/2 - 4 inch long top braces (Taylor 4 a and 4 b)?

Note: I'm NOT bringing this to a certified Taylor repair tech because: a) the purpose of this exercise is learning to do it myself, b) the guitar is off warranty, and c) there isn't one in Toronto.

[Halcyon/Tinker]

If they sent you shims and saddles, might they not also send you the missing braces? Have you asked?

[dtpolk]

If they won't send them, they are pretty easy to make.

[redir]

It's pretty easy to carve your own braces, all you need is a sharp chisel really. You might be able to find some spruce sticks at a hobby shop.

[seratone]

I did ask Taylor Support - they don't send out braces - but they wanted to know how they were missing.

Looks like I'm heading to a craft store....

[phavriluk]

Any working luthier could do this job easily, a Taylor shop isn't necesssary. And less time spent foraging around for lumber scraps. A craft store won't be of much help, I think. And the job will be more inexpensively done by farming it out if the expense of buying tools is considered.

[GCWaters]

https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_an...ht_Guitar.html

[seratone]

Just found that Stewmac Kit as well as one on Amazon. Thanks guys.

[charles Tauber]

I’m in Brampton. If you want to stop by my workshop, I’ll give you the brace wood. We can shape them anyway you want.

[phavriluk]

I'd take Mr. Tauber's offer instantly, and gratefully. Best comment so far.

[Bruce Sexauer]

It seems to me that installing a brace is a great deal more challenging than making a brace.

[phavriluk]

Bruce, indeed so! That's the source of my suggestion that OP take Mr. Tauber up on his offer to visit. I suspect that it will be an enlightening visit, something that is hard to achieve when all comments can seem to have equal merit when a forum is involved.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

It seems to me that installing a brace is a great deal more challenging than making a brace.

It seems to me that way, also.

I've done enough of them to know a few "tricks" for doing it.

[redir]

Assuming when the OP says "...I can get pre-carved 3 1/2 - 4 inch long top braces " he means the finger braces those at least will be the easiest to install. IDK what 4a braces are if he means the lower face braces then that's not an easy one.

[seratone]

I agree - creating the braces will be a lot less complex than installing them.
Taylor just got back to me after sending me a photo - asking me to identify the missing ones - they sent the braces for free.