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Top to thin?

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Dave_E

Post subject: Top to thin?

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:02 pm

Cocobolo

Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:50 pm
Posts: 120
Location: Stanwood, WA
First name: David
Last Name: Engel
City: Stanwood
State: WA
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Hi All,

I've got this beautifull "headstock" old sitka spruce top that I bought from Alsaka Specialty Woods and I fear I may have gone to far planing and sanding. oops_sign

My average thickness is .110. It's going on a slope shoulder dred (J-45) and will have standard, non-scallopped bracing. What do you think? Thanks.

Dave

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James W B

Post subject: Re: Top to thin?

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:09 pm

Koa

Joined: Sat Jul 01, 2006 5:55 am
Posts: 1392
Location: United States
First name: James
Last Name: Bolan
City: Nashville
State: Tennessee
Country: USA

I`m no expert. Hard to say for sure with all the voo-doo and stuff that`s involved,and not having your top in my hands.But I`ve gone .092 on Sitka and have been really happy with the sound and the stiffness.Of course your bracing will have something to do with the sounds of things and the overall stiffness.
James

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Mark A Thorpe

Post subject: Re: Top to thin?

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:20 pm

Cocobolo

Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:02 pm
Posts: 211
First name: Mark
Last Name: Thorpe
City: Valparaiso
State: Indiana
Focus: Build

Your ok, I don't see a problem with it. I just finished a dread, the final thickness with finish at the sound hole with scalloped braces was .125 and it is awesome the sound is fantastic. Since you said non scalloped braces you'll be fine.

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Ken Franklin

Post subject: Re: Top to thin?

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:34 am

Koa

Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:49 pm
Posts: 1209
Location: Ukiah, CA

I'm curious about what you mean by average. Are there any places less than .100? If so, where are they? I have only built two slope shoulder dreds and they were fine at .110 but may have lacked a little headroom for hard picking with medium strings. It probably depends on how stiff the top is and how you brace it if that will be your experience.

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LanceK

Post subject: Re: Top to thin?

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:08 am

Site Admin

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:02 am
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Location: United States
First name: Lance
Last Name: Kragenbrink
City: Vandercook Lake
State: Michigan
Zip/Postal Code: 49203
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

It really all depends on the stiffness of your individual top.

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Dave_E

Post subject: Re: Top to thin?

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 4:58 pm

Cocobolo

Hi Ken F,

I only have a standard calipers and I went around the perimeter and I was .110 to .112. I need to invest in a guitar type thickness device.

Dave

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Mike Collins

Post subject: Re: Top to thin?

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:33 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:10 pm
Posts: 2485
Location: Argyle New York
First name: Mike/Mikey/Michael/hey you!
Last Name: Collins
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State: New York
Zip/Postal Code: 12809
Country: U.S.A. /America-yea!!
Focus: Build
Status: Professional

Dave;
.110 is fine !
Non-scalloped braces will help the stiffness alot !
Go for it and let us all know how it comes out !

I actually thin the edges down to .095 -.090 for some tops that size .
Depending on the strings being used and the stiffness of the top !

Just make sure that when the body is all together that when you tap the bridge location you do not get a bass drum responce-just a nice
loud balance between bass & treble tone.
Mike

[:Y:]

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Ken Franklin

Post subject: Re: Top to thin?

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 1:23 am

Koa

Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:49 pm
Posts: 1209
Location: Ukiah, CA

Hi Dave,
That sounds good as long as you aren't getting thinner in the middle.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

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