Official Luthiers Forum!

In the Benedetto book and video he mentions putting in "side braces". Are there places that sell these pre-cut? I don't think I've ever seen any. Or do I cut my own? If so, what's a good stock to cut it from?
-John

I believe that Bob gives the dimensions for the side braces in his book. They are just small quartersawn strips of spruce, mahogany, cedar or whatever.

We just use cutoffs of spruce. Moll does little different than most and we do full heighth of the sides and we install lining between the brace and then piece of lining on the brace (mostly for looks) We have a piece of old measure tape and do a piece at even intrvals. If remember right the brace is about .312 wide.

Stan, Bene also puts a little piece of lining on the brace. Just like you said, every "x" inches you throw in the brace. Then you break off a small piece of kerf (like two wedge pieces) and glue that on top of the side brace.
-John