Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all,
wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction here. I would really like to start building a 12 string acoustic but I am a little unsure of the sound board bracing, is it the same as a 6 string? Does it need to be beefed up a bit because of the added string pressure? Also is the top thickness increased at all?

Thanks
Paul

Paul, here's a good place to start:

http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=19759&p=277392&hilit=+12+string+nut#p27read%207392

Informative 12 string thread, helpful pictures. KiwiCraig's 12-banger is a real beaut.

_________________
Jim Womack

"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for. "
Will Rogers

Thank You, that is exactly what I was looking for

Regards,
Paul

Paul...I am about a week or 2 away from stringing up a slope shoulder dred 12er. And while I can't state that my bracing scheme is going to be successful yet, here's what I did differently from a 6er.

1) Increased the x-brace height at the intersection from .500" to .625"

2) Increased the bridgeplate width ftom 1.5" to 1.75"

It's still quite light and hopefully will be lively. Time will tell. Check out this build thread http://www.luthiercom.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=359

Have fun!

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Here is my 12 string bracing.
Many feel it is my best guitar

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

My last 12 was a Small Jumbo in Spruce/EIR. I made the top about 25% thicker than usual, and used my standard double-X bracing, but 25% taller than normal, and a little wider to preserve the gluing area. since stiffness goes as the cube of top thickness/brace height, that made the whole thing twice as stiff for a little more than a 25% increase in weight. It's a cannon: I've got a reasonably strong voice, but I couldn't sing over this guitar, and it's only got a 24.5" scale length.