Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Guys...I am in the process of building a double neck acoustic guitar..The body will be a J-200...The back and sides and back are Cocobolo, the top is Bear Claw Sitka....The Rosette and back stripe is installed and the necks are Rough shaped...Before I thickness the top I would like to get your thoughts on how thick the top should be....I know its a little difficult to just give a thickness without actually seeing and handling the top...The X bracing will have to be opened up to allow me enough room to install two sets of pins for two necks...

I usually make my bracing 1/4"x 1/2" and scallop them....My tops are usually .110-.115.
On this guitar, with the extra tension of a Bouzouki neck, I plan on going 5/16"x5/8" non scalloped bracing and going with top thickness of .125"-.130"....

Any thoughts on this will be very much appreciated ....Tks Larry

I dont think Id make the top thicker.
I would consider an off-set X after determining where the centre of the max tension is to avoid any twist.
It all depends on the string gauges and number of strings.
Look at harp guitar designs to get ideas.

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You just pick up a chord, go twang, and you're got music. -Sid Vicious

Thank you William...I contacted Tony Karol and his advice was very helpful...