Official Luthiers Forum!

I am building my first guitar and am in the process of gluing on the top braces. Which of the top braces are tucked(inlet) into the kerfing. The Cumpiano book indicates the upper face brace ends and the upper ends of the X- braces are tucked into the kerfing. Are there any other brace ends tucked into the kerfing? Thanx, Vic.

It's really up to you....

I think the upper X-legs and the big UTB are almost universally inletted.... Others can be if you decide you want to.....

If you decide you don't want to inlet the others - be sure those brace ends very gradually taper down to nothing or they will stand a chance of being knocked loose...

Thanks

Some builders tuck all of them, while others just tuck the transverse brace and the upper arms of the X-brace. Try it both ways and find out for yourself which is best for you. It's real-life lessons like this that make the greatest impression. Good luck on the journey!

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

If it makes it to the linings, you tuck it in.

Upper tranverse brace only for me. I make sure its strong with no wiggle room in the linings and go all the way through the sides.

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

CF Martin does the UTB and the Main X braces . All others are faded to the top. The best advice is to try it like JJ said find what you like .

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I tuck only the UTB and upper x-brace ends through the sides with no play. The rest are tapered into the plate for better shear resistance. I know others that tuck more and you will need to decide what is best for your own building process for sound and durability.