The Luthier Community

The light finally went on that I have been building "falcate braced" guitars for 16 years...Just arrange them differently
g

haha - the same thing crossed my mind a couple of weeks ago reading through one of John Parchem's threads.

I'm planning something like this for a mandolin build in the near future. Stay tuned. (plus I need to talk with you about TM maple availability for mando neck and backs)

-John

And no messy epoxy!

coopman wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 4:02 pm
I'm planning something like this for a mandolin build in the near future. Stay tuned. (plus I need to talk with you about TM maple availability for mando neck and backs)

-John

Hey John, about a decade or so ago I did up a bracing pattern for a mando for a guy that incorporated my bracing system And I made the molds to laminate the curved braces (still have them). I could probably dig out my drawings and gladly share if it would be of any help.

g

Grant, I remember a while back you did an entire post of how you did your bracing, and I find it very interesting. Do you use it on all your guitars nowa days? I'm sure StringFest attendee's can attest to the quality of sound but is there a sound clip on the forum?
16 years ago, ahead of the curve as usual.
Mike

michael wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:54 pm Grant, I remember a while back you did an entire post of how you did your bracing, and I find it very interesting. Do you use it on all your guitars nowa days? I'm sure StringFest attendee's can attest to the quality of sound but is there a sound clip on the forum?
16 years ago, ahead of the curve as usual.
Mike

Mike, I do use this on all of my guitars. There are some sound clips on some of my threads, I think mostly of videos of Andy Cohen. Sound quality may not be the best, however.

Another thought: I see the falcate brace builders using the carbon fiber tow and epoxy and it looks like a mess to do (not being critical). Might i suggest an alternative? Do the brace laminations with 2 layers of wood and sandwich a layer of unidirectional carbon fiber cloth in the middle. This, obviously, will need to be done with epoxy, but you will have a neat looking brace that can be glued to the top with traditional luthier glues. Just seems like a way better process, IMHO.

FWIW,

g

Another thought: I see the falcate brace builders using the carbon fiber tow and epoxy and it looks like a mess to do (not being critical). Might i suggest an alternative? Do the brace laminations with 2 layers of wood and sandwich a layer of unidirectional carbon fiber cloth in the middle. This, obviously, will need to be done with epoxy, but you will have a neat looking brace that can be glued to the top with traditional luthier glues. Just seems like a way better process, IMHO.

FWIW,

g

Grant - Trevor employs the top and bottom placement of the carbon fiber because it increases the flexural rigidity of the brace. For example if you apply the method you outlined above you might see an increase in rigidity over a traditional brace on the order of 26% (Sitka) versus using the top and bottom carbon fiber method (he likens it to an I-beam) where the increase would be on the order of 54%.

John J wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2018 12:05 pm Grant - Trevor employs the top and bottom placement of the carbon fiber because it increases the flexural rigidity of the brace. For example if you apply the method you outlined above you might see an increase in rigidity over a traditional brace on the order of 26% (Sitka) versus using the top and bottom carbon fiber method (he likens it to an I-beam) where the increase would be on the order of 54%.

I would argue that this is BS. For that to be true either the top or bottom carbon fiber (depending on the direction of flex} would be acting in compression, and carbon fiber as used in this case just doesn't have much compressive strength.

g

BTW, John. No offense meant and I am not questioning you...you are just passing on somebody else's info.