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Hi guys just wanted to get some input on a project. Has anyone here built a parlor style with a floating bridge? Or any guitar with a floating bridge really? I really want to include that style on the small body guitar that I am making. All input, past experiences and ideas would be greatly welcomed! Maybe a drawing or dimensions just to give me an idea on calculating my set up? I can't find anything in my books or the web.

Presently working on an acoustic bass with floating bridge.
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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Looks really cool! That is a very unique way to pin the rear! nice job so far! ill definetly keep up with your build. I'm leaning more towards a traditional floating bridge though. If I can find an old model to mock, I'll post it. Thanks

I built a ladder braced floating bridge guitar once. It was not as small as a parlor but still a small guitar, about the size of a classical guitar. I never did like the sound of it and have since re-topped it but it could have been for various reasons as it was one of my earlier guitars. I based it roughly on an old Gibson that came through my repair shop and honestly I didn't like the way that guitar sounded either but the owner loved it The Gibson was a pinned bridge and I thought that the addition of a tail piece would enhance the ladder braced top as it gives more downward pressure on the top (like a jazz arch top or Selmer) as opposed to a pinned bridge. Maybe what it did was enhance the ladder bracing and I simply don't like ladder braced guitars

You did ask for "all input", so...

I've made a couple tailpiece equipped GLO's, though these had glued on bridges. I've not done a floating bridge guitar specifically. One had X bracing and the other was sort of a fan/ladder hybrid. Both had a standard height (1/2") at the bridge, which worked fine. The sound was more flat top than arch top, which is unsurprising since they had only slightly greater soundboard arch then normal.

Anyhow, that might not be a bad way to go for a parlor. Build it standard, increase the arch a smidge, use 1/2" string height. No bridge pin holes obviously. Countless vintage 'parlors' were built this way. If it were me, I'd use light un-scalloped X bracing, normal placement not forward shifted.

Thanks for the input guys. It will be a bit before I get to it. Still finishing my all mahogany classical 628 scale. Just doing some more research before I get back on it! I'll post some pics...