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What are the contributing factors to obtain a 'bright' tone? I'm building a 6 string Dreadnaught, Carpathian Spruce top, Koa body,Mahogany neck,Ebony F/B and bridge. Standard Martin X-brace and body depth. Does scalloping affect the tone? Would a smaller soundhole be better? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Actually a smaller soundhole lowers the resonant frequency. If anything you want a bigger soundhole. You could close the splay of the X a little and that will help give you a brighter tone. Stiffen up the top a bit. Those are a few variables that would help you go brighter.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Also I believe notching the tonebars and finger braces into the x-braces helps. Rosewood for the bridgeplate?.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I would say Maple for the bridgeplate ? for a brighter tone. rosewood would make it basier.
Do check out the "Tony Rice" model by Santa Crus its a larger soundhole to enhance brightness and tone.

Lars

I find that 'well tuned' tops, in the sense that the 'free' plate modes have better shapes, or the tap tones are clearer and better defined in pitch, tend to give a 'brighter' or 'clearer' tone. Everybody uses the terms a little bit differently, of course.

A larger hole, and shallower box, will tend toward a 'brighter' tone.

Keep the bridge light.