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So far I have only done scalloped type bracing for my guitars but I would like to try a tapered bracing dread. Can anyone who builds this way post some snappies? I would love to have a reference. Much appreciated!

Larrivee does tapered bracing if no one comes up with pics for you.You may find some ref. on the web.
Tom

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What are you trying to accomplish by using tapered bracing, instead of scalloped bracing.......or what are you trying to accomplish by using scalloped bracing? (Ask yourself what do the peaks do)





The peaks, if they'll in the right places add mass, or weight. This will add a little bass, and maybe sustain, at the cost of some responsiveness. At least that's how it works for me. I don't paint myself into a box by using a specific type of bracing for everything.

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Larrivee's bracing is interesting for sure. The x- taper might be useful in my case but his two other braces are 90 degree to the centerline like ladder bracing, peaking at the centerline. I'm just trying to get a sense of where people start their tapers, what shape etc.
Woody, wish I could say I had a rationale behind using scalloped bracing other than monkey see monkey do. My small bodied guitars usually have a zing to them that I've been unable to recreate in my dreads, even following plans exactly. Something about the mids. I just sense there is more than I'm getting so I thought I'd try a different approach just to see what happens.

Obvoiusly generalazitions like I'm saying can only go so far.......but, if you're getting what you want out of your scalloped braced small bodies, but not your dreads I'd recommend scalloping the "X", but not the tone bars on a dread. This helps me keep a dread.......under control.......or lets it sound like a dread, without getting muddy.

Recordings, are just....recordings but.

The all Koa guitars who's top is pictured. http://brackettinstruments.com/25.mp3
A scalloped braced Sitka/African Mahogany small body http://brackettinstruments.com/27.mp3
Scalloped X, but Tapered tone bars Sitka/Black Walnut Dread http://brackettinstruments.com/26.mp3

I loved that dread, and hated to let it go. I kept it and played it an extra week before shipping it. LOL

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/