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Anyone built off these plans here?

I'm putting together one of each right now, and there's a few things that stand out to me. First the width and height of the braces, but it does essentially make note to 'season to taste'. So that's easy, stick with the winning formula as far as that goes.

I do note however both the tight angle of the braces and more vertically oriented tone bars seem to make for a very stiff guitar along the grain compared to more standard Martin Gibson based plans. I guess one can compensate by making the top thinner?

One thing I really don't like is the need to cut the upper x's short and butt them against the upper transverse. The x ends are still captured in the linings however, so maybe it's nothing.

Just wondered if anyone who has built them has any thoughts/tips/speculations etc...

Ed: Have had the plan for quite a while although I have never used it. The two things you mentioned stood out right away when I got the plan. The x brace at less then 90 degrees is the first I've seen for a guitar of it's size and shape. To me it is way over braced. Must be hard for folks building their first few guitars to get a handle on top stiffness. A better example of a good plan for beginners is the Stew-Mac Dread plan. One can follow that close and come away with a real decent guitar on the first try. Having said this I must also say that I love the shape of the SJ and MJ plans. It seems the vast majority of plans and instruction books seem to have over braced plans............with exception of THE BOOK. What more can I say....?
Tom

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I made one but I used wider angle on the X I felt the design missed on that point.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
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I'm making the SJ, and measured the X at 87.5 deg. last week. I'll be very interested in any discussion, and what you come up with, Ed. I admit to not knowing much, but I could see that the bracing is very beefy.

Alex

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

Yes, don't follow the plans bracing dimensions I'd suggest. 3/4" x 5/16" is meant to be a precarved spec, assuming you'd know how big you like your bracing. I'm going 5/8 x 1/4.

It's more the layout that had me looking twice and thrice at it.

To be fair, they say they are designed to be FS guitars. Which, IMO, the most popular ones tend to have a nasally midrange bump, which I could see the increase in long grain stiffness contributing towards, especially when coupled with a tapered vs scalloped bracing scenario.

I've come up with nothing yet Alex as I've yet to finish one. I'll know more in a few weeks. I'd be inclined to superimpose dread bracing on it just for kicks one day. I sure do like the shell, and the cutaway shape is very graceful.

Ed you've been at this game long enough (IMO) to not bother with the brace layout of the plans. Stick to your own bracing designs and just use the plan for the body shape.

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Oh sure, I could. But it's nice to see what other peoples ideas lead to as well...a new recipe is always welcome in the kitchen!

I'm building my third MJ. The first two came out well, and have been admired by
several good players. I've opened up the X to about 91.6 degrees, so the top of
the X clears the UTB. Dimensions of the X are .250 x .650. I taper the ends of all
the lower braces to stop clear of the linings. I'm going to try my first arm bevel
on this third one.

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Sorry, pic didn't show. If you click on it, I think you'll see it.

EDIT:OK, well I've tried uploading the picture as an attachment, and using the
"Img" insert to bring it in from Picassa and Flickr. No luck with any of them...

Well, finally figured it out. The image was too big. Resized it, now you should
see it above. Live and learn...

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Hmm, no dice on pic...

Click but no pic.

Alex

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