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Your best guitar will usually be your next one. Best advice if you want to experiment is to start with a known and make small incremental changes one change at a time.
Like this!

Interesting idea/concept. I do agree that a first build may not be the best place to experiment, but I can't say don't do it...because I did!

One idea for the baffling...maybe do the baffles on the back plates so you can leave the bracing on the top alone. If you used a non-permanent glue (hide glue, etc) you would have the option of moving the baffles around without changing anything on the top. A strong double-stick might work too.

Interested to see how it come out when done!

Matthew

i am baffled at your idea of using baffling. i may be the only one that doesn't know what your talking about but whats baffling in a guitar?

Hey John -

Delighted to see you're tackling your first build.

Lots of more experienced folks have commented - I'm on build #5 - so....."what they said".

One new thought, though. Dana Bourgeois gives a pretty interesting presentation on his approach to scalloping braces, through holding the braced top lightly between forefinger and thumb, and tapping on the top to listen for a variety of tones, while tapping at various points on the top. His goal is not to go for a specific note or pitch - but rather a multitude - from various tapping points. You can find a pretty good description of his technique by googling "Bourgeois voicing". It's not specific about WHERE to remove mass (as he says "where it looks overbuilt" but then again some of this just isn't going to happen without some trial and error.

So, my only point is, given some of the feedback that the tonebars are overbult and the bridge plate may also be large, try tapping it - see if you're getting tones that sound musical and varied.

Have fun!

I'm not one to discourage experimentation, even on a first. I experimented quite a bit on my first, though I had the guidance of an experienced builder on the bracing, and, though the bracing doesn't look quite like a Martin, it's not that weird either. There are other somewhat weird things about that guitar, but nothing that really flies in the face of traditional wisdom (or basic facts of how guitars and acoustics work). Anyway, it sounds really good (not just my own opinion) and the playability is very good as well (I took a very long time building it and studied/worked hard to get all the playability factors right).

Now, as to your bumpers, my first thought is that air doesn't move around inside a guitar like a pool ball. In fact, it hardly moves at all. Sound waves travel from here to there, but the air molecules themselves just kind of jiggle a bit, they don't go anywhere (this is true not just inside a box like a guitar, but everywhere). The air is simply the medium through which the sound waves travel. Am I telling you something you already know? Is it sound waves you want to reflect in some way?

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

That was the idea What you said made sense.

I think it's anybody's guess what effect the tall finger braces might have on the complex behavior of the air resonances in the box, in terms of acting as reflective surfaces - my own guess would be very little audible effect at all. On the other hand, as others have suggested, the drastic stiffening of the top in that area will certainly have a significant effect on the behavior of the top.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

NO flak from this novice, but just a comment... On my first, I started with plans, but kinda adapted them... the physics say its all a question of compromise - strength v lightness etc multiplied by variables of the top itself? Thankfully I had expert advice from a pro as i built and so decided becaise of the quality of the top, I could afford to heavily scollop - this created a very decent tone (cosmetic issues not withstanding) - but with the natural worries that the thing might collapse in a few years! - Did also use an extension of the neck block under teh figerboard area etc, and after 18 months its still rock solid... who knows what will happen but as you say its a learning thing - It ahd a lovely tap tone when braced and also when the box was finished...something I have so not managed to replicate again... ;-( so its kind of an ongoing experiment... I would say as you do, that teh first is about learning the basics, but also dont be affraid to try a few minor variations and as long as you record what you did and see how this affects the reslut you can learn a huge amount?

[quote="<snip>
Now, as to your bumpers, my first thought is that air doesn't move around inside a guitar like a pool ball. In fact, it hardly moves at all. Sound waves travel from here to there, but the air molecules themselves just kind of jiggle a bit, they don't go anywhere (this is true not just inside a box like a guitar, but everywhere). The air is simply the medium through which the sound waves travel. Am I telling you something you already know? Is it sound waves you want to reflect in some way?[/quote]

I'm way late here, once again..

In my favorite speculation, air moves around like Jello as it transmits sound.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com