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| Classical top too thin ?? http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=30448 |
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| Author: | Steve Davis [ Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Classical top too thin ?? |
As a follow up to this thread viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=22086 It is now some months later and this guitar is showing little or no sign of implosion just some telegraphing of the braces. The sound still lacks though, it is quite nice but no push to it especially in the treble range. Given the lack of structural failure so far and the fact that I pretty much slapped a standard LMI bridge on there...... would thinning these wings be a good idea. Attachment: P1010683 (640x480).jpg There is a bridge plate under there so i dont feel this would rreally weaken the guitar too much..maybe just unlock some tone? Thanks |
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| Author: | Alexandru Marian [ Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Classical top too thin ?? |
I did it on a couple of my early guitars and nothing miraculous happened. I was probably going down from 4.5mm to 4 or even 3.5mm thickness. What exactly is the thickness there and how much did that bridge weight? In any case if the guitar is not satisfying, it is likely because of a number of different aspects, not just a slightly too thick bridge... |
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| Author: | WaddyThomson [ Fri Dec 24, 2010 1:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Classical top too thin ?? |
Good treble definitely requires stiffness in the right places - particularly in the region from the wings of the bridge to the latitude of the edge of the soundhole. This area needs to be pretty stiff, both for treble and for keeping the top from scooping between the bridge and the soundhole. |
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| Author: | TomDl [ Fri Dec 24, 2010 2:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Classical top too thin ?? |
I wouldn't reduce the bridge, or if I did, I would try to keep it as stiff as possible, in the process. Think Gilbert, if obviously not the same end look. Before re-topping it I would go all Smallman on it. He is known for post tuning his tops. I would consider some more structure. I sometimes think beyond a certain point, say 3 bars, that all historic developments in bracing are just someone's attempt to restructure a weak top, with unexpected results. Back before I understood lattice bracing, at all. I did one classical top, and I emphasize how much this was an experiment, with 1/8" boat foam with an aircraft ply cap over it. Just a big slug in the center. Like a speaker cone. I made it way too tight, so I had to remove 1" of perimeter post glue up, witha chisel. What fun. This left bare wood, and a ring of hardened epoxy over bare wood, then the center disc. Surprisingly it was a playable guitar, and that is about all I will say for it. I had plans to further undermine the center plate so it could wobble, and to stiffed it out a little, but I lost interest in it. But my overall point is how many bad things one can do with a soundboard and still learn some stuff. At that point I had a detachable neck and a trap door for experimenting with tops. Objective wise guitars are either good or nothing. So I wouldn't hesitate to tear into one, or cut it up. I have cut quite a few guitars up to get re-usable parts out of them if they didn't do what I wanted. |
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