I've been doing my tops based on Dana's article since it appeared in the GAL years ago and like the results I get with it.
Here's a pic. You should definately read even if uou don't like the idea.
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| Scalloped or Not...Braced Top http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=6634 |
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| Author: | Dread1916 [ Thu May 11, 2006 1:10 pm ] |
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I just finished bracing guitar #1 and need some help regarding tap tone and carving the braces. I am building a Sticka Top D-18 per Martin's dread plans that they provide with thier 14 fret dread kits...(I opted out of buying a kit and only buying some things pre-made). I bought my braces from Martin already shaped but not scalloped. Has anyone had any experiance scalloping braces to the Martin plans? I was wondering if some folks here had some advice on scalloping...more than what is just drawn on the plans OR what is in the Cumplano book. I pretty much feel that the tap tone has become DEAD since bracing the top (seems heavy)...So I think that I am going to need to Scallop the Top (eventhough one of the employees at Martin's Guitar Maker's Connection stated that I should probably not scallop my 1st guitar since it would be stronger)... I just don't want ot make the a Dreadnought built like a battleship (...a pun that may float in this forum)... Thanks for the inputs... JP |
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| Author: | Martin Turner [ Thu May 11, 2006 1:17 pm ] |
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I generally divide the brace into halves, thirds or quarters (depending on length of brace) and scallop with peaks corresponding to these points. Other's in here will no doubt have other ways of doing it. On scalloping your first guitar....I scalloped my first build and its still holding together. Cheers Martin |
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| Author: | Alain Desforges [ Thu May 11, 2006 1:33 pm ] |
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Same here. I scalloped my first, and although it hasn't been that long, it's still holding well. Sounds awesome, if I do say so myself... |
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| Author: | ecklesweb [ Thu May 11, 2006 1:55 pm ] |
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I don't have enough experience to tell you whether or not (or how) to scallop your braces, but I wanted to say I understand what you're saying about the dead tap tone with the heavy un-scalloped braces. I made my own braces, but the tone definitely felt "dead" with the braces just shaped. I scalloped a little at a time until the tone started sounding better, and I'm happy with the result. I can't say anything about the longevity since mine isn't even strung up yet. |
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| Author: | Serge Poirier [ Thu May 11, 2006 1:58 pm ] |
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I scalloped mine and my top is still intact, still have a loud box after 5 months. As to how to go about it, you could use just a 1/2" very sharp chisel and remove some meat slowly and gradually, don't worry about it too much, as long as your chisel is well honed, you just have to be careful not to remove too much meat at a time. Serge |
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| Author: | Rod True [ Thu May 11, 2006 3:13 pm ] |
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If you look up Dana Bourgeois you will find some very good articles on bracing and tap tuning. In one of them, he mentions that he scallops only the treble side x-brace and leaves the bass side x-brace straight. How's that for throwing a monkey wrench into things. This will get you there I think Details Yup, just below the voicing comment, third article down. This is not the entire article, can't remember where that is. I think it was an article in acoustic guitar magazine or maybe in american lutherie |
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| Author: | Jim Watts [ Thu May 11, 2006 3:28 pm ] |
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I've been doing my tops based on Dana's article since it appeared in the GAL years ago and like the results I get with it. Here's a pic. You should definately read even if uou don't like the idea.
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| Author: | Rod True [ Thu May 11, 2006 3:55 pm ] |
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Jim, nice clean top there. I realy like the rosewood x-brace cap. I do that on mine as well. |
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| Author: | burbank [ Thu May 11, 2006 4:32 pm ] |
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JP, I posted this a few months ago. Might interest you. scalloped dread at Lundberg's |
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