Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all.

A customer is curious about trying cedar for the braces on his classical guitar. He mentioned he tried one at the Montreal show and was quite impressed (it was on a spruce top).

Since I never saw that before, I'm wondering if there are any major downsides in using cedar for bracing.

Thanks for letting me know what y'all think about that!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

I think I remember reading that Rodriguez braced with wrc, even when the soundboard was spruce.
Wendy

More brittle, less tough and elastic than spruce. I wouldn't brace with it.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I have a Brazilian friend that had a Fleta come into the shop for repair once and the braces were cedar. I have also used cedar for braces and was happy with the results. However, I now use spruce.

I think Howard has said it all and that trumps any possible weight saving.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

I use it for the outer fans. Spruce on the center three.

Thanks for your input guys.

I guess I'll go ahead and use it for the fan braces. All else will remain spruce.

But since this guitar is due in May of next year, I have plenty of time to change my mind!

Thanks again!

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

-Did your customer specify WRC, or simply 'cedar'?
If the latter, you could split the difference and use
Port Orford Cedar- more tenacious, arguably better
stiffness to weight, much less prone to splitting.
Nice stuff- Greg Byers uses it for his bracing..

I really like the effect of low wide fans of Torres design recently, so I suppose even wider fans made of cedar will work, too. I've only made two with WRC fans before and both are a bit brighter and faster than my other guitars.

We didn't specify but in the classical guitar world, just saying 'cedar' usually means WRC.


Thanks for the extra inputs guys.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

I would recommend not to play word games with your customer. I also think that this is probably over the line of what I would allow a customer to specify.

Yes, POC is good for braces.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I fully agree with you Howard, I do not intend to play word games with my customer.

As for you second point, I also don't usually let my customers select what type of wood is used for braces. This is different. He is not 'specifying' as much as he is tempted to try it since he was pleased with the guitar he heard. If he's willing to take the risk, I'm also tempted to try it. I just want to make sure there wasn't a big 'NO, NO'. Appearently not, so...

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)