Official Luthiers Forum!

I heard the account some years ago of how Mario got this named after him. Bryan Kimsey was struggling with muddy tone during an attempt to hot rod a guitar while at the same time communicating with Mario. Mario suggested that he add the brace in order to better clarify the tone. It worked so well that Bryan gave it the PMTE label. Hopefully Grumpy will chime in and confirm or correct that account. He'll be the first to admit that he wasn't the first to employ the technique...but I don't know who was...probably some caveman. Colin Symonds of the UK also has reported of its use in his neck of the woods as well.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Filippo you might want to engage Steve Kinnaird with your question since he has been known to use the Musser brace. Here's an article where Steve is interviewed and mentions the use of the Musser brace. http://www.guitarbench.com/2009/05/06/stephen-kinnaird-luthier-interview/

I hope this helps.

The PMTE is intended as a retrofit...because that's how it was "discovered". I've been using this for 4 years. I make one up for every guitar but have felt the need to install one on about half of them...otherwise it remains in the case ...just in case.

Others who have used the Musser brace might have a different philosophy and practice.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I've got in my archives around here somewhere the data sheet where Don Musser first described this brace. This was before the GAL was publishing quarterlies, so I'm persuaded the idea originated with Don.
I use it all the time. It works that well.
The one difference I employ is to peak the brace right behind the high e string pin hole. The brace tapers off in both directions, quickly to the treble side, and slowly and evenly to the bass.
The idea here is to stiffen up the trebles so that they'll sing that little bit more brightly. Of course the brace evens everything out, while helping with that cursed behind the bridge bulge.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Look guys they are two different braces the PMTE works by magic and can not be explained the Tone Faerie Told me so while they argued about the science of the Musser brace.

As Lyle Lovett sang That's my storie and I'm stickin to it.

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"It's a Tone Faerie thing"
"Da goal is to sharpen ur wit as well as ye Sgian Dubh"
"Sippin Loch Dhu @Black lake" ,Kirby O...

I have the reprint of the Don Musser article in the GAL book Lutherie Woods and Steel String Guitars.
It brace was originally published in 1981.
I do believe Mario probably found it on his own, after all there's nothing new under the sun. Somebody probably tried it before Musser too.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

I've used a brace behind the bridge plate for at least the last ten years, way before I had ever heard of Mario, and I've still never heard of Musser, neither are household names on this side of the pond. I first tried it after seeing one on an 1870s London made guitar, so I guess I'll call it a 'London' brace.

There is hardly anything new in instrument building, the wedge, the fan fret, the 'London' brace, can all be traced back to luthiery antiquity, though claimed by modern day builders.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Larrivee's have a parallel brace directly behind the bridge plate .. early 70's ....

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

JJ, I'm disappointed in your pointless, unhelpful behavior. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_calling#As_a_cognitive_bias_in_propaganda)

Mario likely won't be participating in this thread. Wonder why?

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"...you have to get over your strict adherence to your largely imagined notion of absolute perfection..."

Huh??? Please explain your point.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

What on Earth are you talking about? Please explain your unwarranted insult to one of the best guys around here.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Calling Mario "Grumpy" was childish. Of course he won't post here any more. It's a shame.

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"...you have to get over your strict adherence to your largely imagined notion of absolute perfection..."

Ahhh - now I understand.

Martin my friend Mario is self described as "Grumpy" and for many of us when we speak of Mario using his choice of the screen name "Grumpy" is an act of respect, acceptance, and endearment I will add too.

So JJ meant no harm and you Martin have not had the pleasure of dealing with Grumpy so-it-seems to know that Mario/Grumpy is very OK being called Grumpy. Thanks for defending what you believed was common decency though.

Ok...very sorry, I take it all back. I do know Mario from other forums and lately on facebook. When he gets the way that he gets, I don't mind it. I like it, actually.

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"...you have to get over your strict adherence to your largely imagined notion of absolute perfection..."

As Hesh said Mario's name on this forum is Grumpy, it's the name he's under which he is registered here, even his avatar is the Walt Disney character, so in the future before insulting one of our long standing members and a good friend of Mario, maybe check your facts. Grumpy lurks here and posts when he feels it's needed, he posted on a thread about my accident last year, something that really touched me.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks Colin...I'm appropriately touched as well! I don't take the loyalty of true friends lightly.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com