Official Luthiers Forum!

Going back to Ebony for Fret Board and bridge. Of course it effects the sound but that doesn't mean it is better or worse, just diferent. Personally I use Ebony on all mine unless someone orders different. On my guitars it seems to keep the sound bright and loud. If you want a darker and mellower sound on my guitars, Rosewood is in order. But that is just on my guitars. Everyone will have their preferences. I would argue that you can't say Ebony is better or worse than rosewood, just different. Ebony works for me and, IMHO looks great.

[QUOTE=Michael McBroom] Specifically with the Mark series, the way I recall it, is that it involved a double-X bracing pattern, which was very easy to leave way too robust. The double-X is a great way to ensure maximum stiffness -- thus it is an equally great way to stiffen a top too much. Given that this was a production environment in which a maker tends to err on the side of overbuilding rather than underbuilding, it is my thinking that this is what killed the Mark series.

Best,

Michael
[/QUOTE]

Michael,

Nope, no double (or single) X-brace in the Mark series. It was a Kasha-style mix of horizontal and finger braces and tone bars, which Gibson then messed with and rushed into production. Gibson, during some of its darkest years, did use a double-X pattern as a move to lower warranty claims by stiffening the top. Of course, it also muted any musical sound that might have come out of it otherwise.

Guys,
You are super-critical concerning everything about the beautiful looking and sounding guitars you make. Every nuance can seem like the sky is falling. I think when a buyer looks ay your guitars, then starts cookin' with it the sound he or she hears is much better than you think it is.
Just one man's correct point of view.

But Bob
This is where we pick nits. If you can't do it here, then where. Your wife certainly won't listen. At least mine seems to have had her fill.

I'm so glad you brought up nits. Do you know how small they are????

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Is this "nit wit"? (sorry, couldn't help myself)

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia