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I build a 14 fret L-00 using a bracing pattern very similar to one I got from Lance but am now looking at wanting to do a 12 fret Version. Does anyone have the bracing (top) from a 12 fret model? Any suggestions on what I might need to do?

StewMac has a drawing for a 000-12 fret. The main thing is to get the X in the right location ... the bridge plate is farther south than a 14 fret.

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

The Martin 000-12 fret is a totally different beast. am using a 25.4 scale on my 14 fret L-00 but will use a 24.9 or 24.75 scale on the 12 fret model. Gibson offered a 12 fret L-00 way back and I am hoping to be able to find someone who has taken measurements from the Gibson one, especially x brace angle and location I realise that the X will have to shift a bit and soundhole will have to be moved. Bridge plate will have to be about 1/2" more towards tail yet still allow bridge to catch the arms of the X brace. Little things like this. Hoping to draw on someone elses experience.   Reason I plan to do one is I have an order for one that I will start in September and want to draw on as much experience of others with this as possible.

Avery check here. http://www.lutherie.net/index.html Lots of good info and pic's of L-00 guitars. Like this one

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Hey Arvey
I am doing a restoration project on an ole 1930 something L-00 12 fret with elevated fingerboard. Anyway, if you want a look at the original bracing pattern here it is.


The braces are 1/4 inch thick at the widest, and 1/2 inch tall at the tallest. The cross section is triangular. (more or less)

Hope this helps. It is at least interesting.

Oh yes. I would like to add that the work you see is NOT my repair work. This is a freshly opened view exposing someone else's repair work.

John John Kinnaird38469.3309490741

John,
What type of spruce was used for top?

John,
If you have time could you please top to middle of x bracing and also the angles of x bracing. Also top to top of soundhole and soundhole dia.
Thanks very much,

John,
What the heck is an elevated fingerboard?

That is very helpful John. As requested John, it would be great if you could measure location of X brace (I prefer 12th fret to middle of X Brace, as well as the brace angle. Also, what is the diameter of the soundhole?

OK guys
I'll get some measurements.
As far as the spruce is concerned, I don't know and can't really tell by looking. My guess is that it's probably sitka.
There is not binding on the back of this guiar which makes taking the back off pretty easy. The original instruments were solid black or solid tobacco brown with a dark sunburst on the top. Mostly cloudy on the top with just a faintly lightened area around the bridge. So that allows for the use of pretty sketchy wood. At least aesthetically. Back and sides are mahogany.

Here is the elevated fingerboard setup, without the fingerboard.


More to come.

John



Back braces





John Kinnaird38469.8066550926

What is elevated fingerboard for?

as far as i know the elevated fingerboard is not original. looks like a cobbled together fix for a bad neck set.

Gibson had a problem with consistency in the 30's Lots of those L-00 had elevated fingerboards, lots did not. They played around with designs. Remember that the entire guitar was black and that bit of black remaining on the extension pad is probably original. The rest of the guitar was stripped. Joinery was not a strong suit with Gibson either as you can tell when you look closely at the neck dovetail.

Elevated fingeboards gave a different angle of approach for the strings to the bridge.