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| Flattening upper Bout? http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=33525 |
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| Author: | James W B [ Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Flattening upper Bout? |
Who flattens the upper bout and who doesn`t ? I can`t detect much difference either way.I use a 25` radius and always make sure the UTB is flat and glued on flat.It seems I have more trouble leveling frets when I`ve flattened than when I haven`t ,with more of a hump where the frets meet the body.I`ve never had a problem with any guitar that I haven`t flattened and I seem to have more trouble with the ones I have.So why Am I doing this?Any big advantage? I don`t seem to be getting it. James |
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| Author: | Wes McMillian [ Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Flattening upper Bout? |
Funny, I had the exact same thoughts last night. I'm assuming you're talking about flattening the rim set in the upper bout of an otherwise radiused top? This is what I've been doing lately thinking it would be better (it just made good sense to me and had some good recommendations). I'm considering going back to radiusing the upper bout on the next couple and just flattening under the fretboard extension. I'm interested in hearing some responses, too. |
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| Author: | Jim Watts [ Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Flattening upper Bout? |
I just flatten under the fingerboad. Works well for me. |
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| Author: | ChuckB [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:46 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Flattening upper Bout? |
I also have built both ways. And have good results with a 28' domed top including the upper bout. The only difference I see is that the waist is a little deeper than if flattening upper bout. You do need to take this into consideration when gluing neck and tail blocks. I prefer an arched UTB vs. flat, which is the result with a totally domed top. Chuck |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:08 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Flattening upper Bout? |
I flatten the upper area only under the fretboard . |
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| Author: | Darryl Young [ Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Flattening upper Bout? |
Filippo may have answered my question but Todd you use a dish to radius the top of the UTB? I like the idea of a slightly radiused UTB to add a little stiffness with no little to no weight penalty. Before seeing Fillipo's post I would have guessed it would be difficult to get an even, subtle curve without a dish. Filippo, do you mark a 60r line on the UTB then plane to it?.....or do you have another method to keep the curve even and about the right radius? |
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| Author: | James W B [ Fri Sep 16, 2011 3:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Flattening upper Bout? |
The 60` deal seems like a good compromise.Who came up with that?I feel so dumb around you guys. James |
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| Author: | John Arnold [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Flattening upper Bout? |
I use radius blocks....no dish. After roughing out the radius on the brace with a hand plane, I put sandpaper on the block and sand the brace until it produces a fair curve. The same block is used against the top when gluing the braces on. The block I use for the UTB is somewhere around 60 foot radius, but IMHO the only thing that is important is to achieve a straight fingerboard. My method for building is to glue a radiused top to flat linings, and I need some radius on the UTB so that the fingerboard comes out straight. I also like at least some top radius in the upper bout for strength. The combination of longitudinal compression and downward force can cause the upper bout to sink in. The alternate methods.....radiused lining or beveled upper bout (Martin style) combined with a straight or nearly straight UTB also can work, but after 24 years of success with my method, I doubt that I will change. |
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