So here's my thinking on this...
There are about as many theories as to what makes a guitar sound good and how it does so as there are seconds in a day (maybe more), so what's one more?
I don't think I've ever seen this done before, so maybe its original, maybe not. Anyway, Tracy Leveque was telling me of one builder who actually laminates his sides to make them super stiff, gaining volume (I think) and clarity of notes (correct me if I'm wrong here, Tracy). I thought about this a long time and decided I bought into that somewhat. If the top doesn't have a sturdy edge to use as leverage for its billowing effect, it wouldn't seem like it would "sing" as much. There is always going to be energy shooting throughout the guitar loosing momentum at each pass, especially where it may be a little softer. I thought if I could just give the top a little help and stiffen up the sides without gaining too much weight, whats the harm? Might as well try it.
So I came up with this. X braces on the sides along the flats above and below the waist right around the same height as the sound hole.
I used laminated side braces made of Purple Heart, Cherry Veneer, and a thin Graphite center sheet, then cut the strips on a band saw and X'd them up.
My major fight with this design is the large devotion of time to cut the kerfing just right. I thought of insetting the strips into the kerfing, but that'll have to wait.
So any thoughts as to whether this is ridiculous concept or not?
I'll keep ya'll posted on how this may or may not work out in the end.
-j.
