Ken, I don't actually think I could tell what the "best" is based on computer modeling. It has the same limitations as the guys looking at the Chladni patterns on their tops. That is, you need to know what the right pattern is and how strong the individual modes should be.
What I did notice in the model, was what I thought was a nice distribution of modal patterns between 200 and 1000 hertz (top fixed to the ribs not a free plate). Also the top seemed to be dynamically "looser" on the bass side and "tighter" on the treble side. So I wanted to hear what this sounded like and build a prototype, I really liked it. A gentleman who had a guitar on order with me got to play the prototype and wanted to change his order over to this style of top. A hit as far I'm concerned
I still have more modeling to do, but I think the modeling effort has improved my guitars in general and increased my understanding of guitar mechanics.
I think that this bracing style really helps with the distinct notes on the top. Each fan is different on the top both in length, width and height. Long, low, fat ones on the bass side, and short, skinny, tall ones on the treble side.
As far as sound: I'll try to do this as best I can, it's very difficut for me to describe sound, but here goes. BTW: whats Red look like?
When it come to sound what I'm looking for is a guitar that has a large dynamic range, that is it responds well to a light touch and is not over driven when played hard. Volume ties into this, but is not necessarily the same, so I also want the guitar to be able to be loud. I'm looking for a lively sound, I want to hear lively bass notes not dead bass notes. Also, I want clarity and balance up a down the finger board.
So based on the above I'd have to say that this is a successful instrument. It's my impression after building a couple of these (not a large sample admittedly) that it meets my criteria better than a standard X braced guitar.
Charlie Would has topic going on tone and how long it takes to break a guitar in. So if you see this Charlie my guitars take a couple of days to really come alive. When I first string up, I'm almost always disappointed, after a half hour to an hour very noticeable changes occur, after a day things are really starting to cook, So the sound changes radically at first and then settles down after a week or so.
Geordie - I'm having trouble getting a good picture of the back, If I get one I'll post it.
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