Official Luthiers Forum!

My recent build has a sinker redwood top with a 24.9 scale length. I started with medium strings but read somewhere you should probably not go with mediums. I have lights on it now but just don't like how easy it is to overdrive the light strings. This is a very responsive top, the most responsive I've built so far. Are medium strings too heavy for this type of top? I didn't think much about it until reading other posts some where. I really like redwood for tone but this sinker has its issues. (brittle for one) Had it for a few years but wanted to wait till skill level came up some, for the quality of the wood.

Thanks

_________________
Wisdom is justified by her children

Did you try tuning the mediums down a step?

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Hi Mark, the only given that might be an issue is redwood's lower shear strength which makes bridge failure more likely. If you have enough surface area, don't score into the wood when cleaning the finish and do a good job of gluing, it should be fine.

As for the top caving, it's just a matter of the overall stiffness of the plate and braces. I've strung all my recent redwood and cedar tops with mediums, many with 25.4" scale, with no problems. If it sounds better with mediums and it's not deforming too much under tension, it's probably fine but that's just a guess.

_________________
http://www.chassonguitars.com

Alex, didn't think of that but like the idea.
Kent you have worked with lots of redwood. I think the final thickness of the top was 120, didn't want to go any thinner. I did use a little bit larger bridge and plate. Braced with well quartered spruce about .270 wide.. I thought the scale length would help with being able to use mediums. I guess just give it a try.

Thanks guys.

_________________
Wisdom is justified by her children