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When measuring an existing instrument the external measurements are pretty easy, and using a light inside the box makes it easy to get the brace patterns and widths, but is there an easy way to record brace height, scallop patterns, top, side and back thicknesses. etc without tearing it apart?

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Scott Thompson
Port Townsend,WA

"In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room"
-Billy Bragg

An inspection mirror with a small light on it and a short (half of a 6") scale wedged in the end of a 1/2" dowel rod. It is a pain but I know of no better way.

You can press Silly Putty up against the brace and pull it out to get a reasonable estimate of what the brace looks like in hieght and cross section.
Almost forgot to mention that if you place some plastic wrap between the putty and whatever your measuring the putty doesn't stick to it and thus doesn't distort so much during the removal process.Jim_W38609.6576736111

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

You could also make up a little stick, with a disk or small ball (with a hole in it) that slides over the end. Give it a decent friction fit and then put it inside the guitar and set it on the brace at various locations. Then pull it out of the guitar and measure it.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Use a Hacklinger gauge-if you have a spare $320.!Brad Goodman38609.7069328704

how about a contour gauge?

[QUOTE=Robbie O'Brien] how about a contour gauge?[/QUOTE]

If you do use a comb type contour gauge, make sure it's one with plastic teeth not metal.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Yes, Robbie. I think the contour gauge might be the ticket for the braces. It could measure thickness and profile.

Now how about a cheap method for measuring side and back thickness?

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Scott Thompson
Port Townsend,WA

"In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room"
-Billy Bragg

You can also bring the guitar to a dark room and put a lightbulb into it to measure the placing of the braces, from the outside. Also you can make several distances to put beside the brace and just moving your fingertip to feel if its the right height.

Last year I did a complete measure and drawing of an old Masaru Kohno, and you have to be really creative sometimes! Its really fun, but very time consuming...Lars Rasmussen38610.6279050926

Bruce Dickey used tin foil over the braces when doing his measuring on an Olson once. Cut some strips of tin foil and put it inside the guitar, than form it around the brace, than try and pull it out without distorting it.

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Bah, you guys are creating too much work!
Just line it up really good and cut right down the center seam on the bandsaw. You can always glue it back together later.

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CVT Inc.
A tour of our shop (Somewhat outdated)
My Personal eBay profile. BCWoodBug

Your a gas Jason. Got to get up to see ya soon and try that new Husqvarna grinder of yours.   



Or your new thickness sander

Rod True38611.1392476852

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

I have both of those items pictured

Your gonna have to come up and visit soon, we're in the process of running so much cedar it's silly.

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CVT Inc.
A tour of our shop (Somewhat outdated)
My Personal eBay profile. BCWoodBug

Jay, I PM'd you.
Jee does that sound bad?

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson