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I am building my second 10 string flat top bouzouki with a floating bridge. My first one had ladder braces which didn't account for the longitudinal forces (string pull from headstock to tail block) so a noticeable S wave compression at the bridge developed. I would like to X brace my current build and I have been studying the Martin X brace pattern and other variations on it and I came up with an idea to help counteract the longitudinal forces on floating bridges. Basically I just flipped the tone bars vertical with a slight fan near the X. This is sort of a hybrid X brace/fan brace I reckon. See pic. I am hoping some of you more experienced builders could shed some light on how this rearrangement of the tone bars might affect the tone. Any comments or suggestions would be great. Thanks.

Nobody? I guess I'll have to take one for the team and give it a try.

Well, I'm not a bouzouki builder, but it looks like it should work to me. However, why not use a standard flat top mandolin pattern an adjust accordingly for the string load difference?

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

I really don't think you need the those bulky 'fans' in the lower bout. The X itself should be sufficient, assuming the bridge feet are located on the arms of the X. If you really feel some longitudinal stiffness is need in the lower bout, at most I would add 3 very petite classical style fans, perhaps 1/4" wide by 3/16" tall. You may want to add a transverse brace above the soundhole. Even though the bouzouki shape is inherently strong, it won't hurt to make this area stronger.

I built a couple somewhat similar instruments a long time ago, but with 7 courses and 13 strings. One had an X scheme as above and it worked fine, the other used fan braces and two transverse bars like a classical. It also sounded good and held up well.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Jim thanks for the reminder...I will pull out the McDonald zouk book.

Greg - I am using the Spanish foot construction method so there won't be a need for a transverse brace above the sound hole. The heel extends out to the lip of the sound hole. That's a good idea about the classical style fans. I'm thinking I will put the tone bars back in the traditional position then run small braces up the center seam between the tone bars for a bit of extra support. It seems a fan brace pattern might be best for floating bridge zouks...might try that next time.

Instead of over-bracing, I would arch the top with curved braces. A 12 foot radius should work just fine.
This makes a much better structure, since the longitudinal force from the strings will tend to push an arched top up, balancing the downforce at the bridge.

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John

Hey John - I am using a 20' radius. I might up the arch on future builds but the 20' radius dish is the most curvy I have on hand at the moment. Hopefully Ill have this done before the next East TN gathering. Thanks.

A fifteen foot dish is fairly standard.

Bob