Official Luthiers Forum!

Okay folks...X Braced back here. What do you think?

One of my concerns is when you flex the back across the lower bout (at it's widest point)..it's really kind of flimsey. I know that to a degree this will be solved when I close the box but will that be enough? X brace dimensions are 250 x 625 thou.

Chris

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Compared to a normal 4 brace back you have a lot more unbraced space. Maybe you can add two more braces across it at the X center point. Also, why no strip on the center seam. I would either cover them all, or none

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Build log

Alexandru - this is a 3 piece back so there are actually 2 seams down the middle. The wood in the middle is Brazilian Cherry, the outside is Mahogany. There are 2 cross grain seam strips running down the length of the back. The black line that runs down the middle of the Brazilian Cherry is a pencil mark so I can keep track of the centerline of the guitar. I have considered adding an individual brace across the widest part of the lower bout....but wanted to get other opinions. Thanks for weighing in.

Chris

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Pfff I must be getting old...I could have sworn I was seeing the grains doing a V in a perfect bookmatched center piece. Sorry!

1 minute later edit: looked again and it still looks a lot like a bookmatch with a center seam especially in the 3rd pic. :D

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Build log

Alexandru....you are right!!!!!!..............geeeeeezzzzzzzzzz

Good thing I am not claiming to be a professional

The brazilian cherry IS a bookmatched wedge with no seam strip.

Too late now!



I have to laugh.....

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

I put the X in the middle of the back with cross braces above and below it. The backs I've seen braced like yours have two braces crosswise from the center of the X.

Steve

Try this



all lower bout bracing 1/4" thick x 5/8" finish height

Thank ya Mr. Payne....that is exactly what I am going to do.

Chris

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Post more photos "before you close the box !!!! I had tons of help as doing that, brace gights width etc. thickness !! Also its not to late to put a centerceam on there "if you want one that is !! depending on how well its glued i guess ?? you could as a measure of securety just ad some diamonds along the ceam. " like in cumpianos book on the bottom of the top.
are the braces supposed to be left like this or are you planning to chisel them more ?
Personally I just closed the box with the same back bracing as Michael is showing you, and the tone was exellent.
Looks really cool though.

Lars.