Official Luthiers Forum!

Horseback takes longer than truck.

Better?

What do you expect from a couple of unemployed piano techs!

Just because there is a preferred (maybe better) way to do something doesn't mean it is the only way to do it. If I were building lutes I would orient my braces in that fashion.

Yup, that's what my finger braces look like. Now lay that brace on its side, and rotate 90 degrees to get an idea of what I thought you meant by parallel grain. That is something I am certain no one would do on purpose.

Again, I see nothing wrong with it. It's more of an aesthetic thing.

Somebody please feed and water those horses!

Mike

Not likely, Mike. They're to busy investigating corrupt Senators.

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Contrary to popular belief, flat sawn softwoods tend to be slightly stiffer than vertical grain in bending. But the difference is so little that making the brace a few thousandths of an inch taller or shorter will compensate.
Wood is more stable in the direction perpendicular to the growth rings. That means that flat sawn braces will change less in height with changing moisture when compared with quartersawn. But the flat sawn braces will change in width more. If the braces were much wider than 3/8", then creep of the glue joint may come into play.
The only place I have witnessed creep is on much wider braces like the 3/4" wide lower back braces on older Martins, or on the 1" wide popsicle braces.

_________________
John