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I am getting ready to make a 000 12 fret (elongated body) for the first time. I was wondering if I should try to forward shift the braces... My plan shows that the distance from the x-brace to the sound hole is 1 7/32". I am also thinking about making it a little deeper... So, first of all, should I forward shift the the braces? If so, should I make the distance between the x-brace and the sound hole 1"?
Any thoughts or comments welcome.
Thanks,
Steve

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

if you shift the x forward will the bridge still sit on it at the ends ??? if not, you need to alter the X angle in order to forward shift ...

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

I would certainly make sure that the bridge (and bridge plate) is in the right place... I just wasn't sure that shifting the x-brace forward was a good idea for this style of guitar... Perhaps I should just build it according to the plan... Although, based on what I've read, adding a little to the body depth is a good idea... I was thinking of making it the same depth as an OM, which is maybe 1/4" or so deeper.

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I have built them with the X an inch below the sound hole. The X crosses the front edge of the wings of the bridge, IIRC. You could close the X and have it cross more of the bridge, but I thought the idea was to make a "Looser" top by forward shifting the X.

If the pattern is taken from a Martin, then it should already be forward shifted. The bracing locations were never shifted on 12-fret Martins.
The 1" measurement applies to 14-fret dreadnoughts with a 4" soundhole.
The 000 soundhole is 3 7/8".
IMHO, the X-braces should intersect the bottom corners of the bridge. That is true on most forward shifted Martin patterns.

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John

Thank you John. That's the kind of answer I was looking for...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com