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Board index » Mandolin - Mandola - Ukulele Forum

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Ben-Had
 Post subject: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 9:14 am 
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I am just wondering how many of you have built an ukulele with x bracing? I have built 2 tenor ukuleles (fan bracing) and my third (x braced) is in the finishing room.

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Aaron O
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Sat Mar 18, 2017 2:57 am 
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Only my Tiples have an X-brace. As I understand, Martin did this at the turn of last century, and eventually copied Nunes'.
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edstrummer
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 1:06 pm 
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It should change the sound but there's only one way to find out. I'd be interested in hearing it. Any pics or notes about the X brace ?? I'm building my second tenor from Hana Lima 'la plans with tradition fan braces.


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Ben-Had
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 10:32 am 
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edstrummer wrote:
It should change the sound but there's only one way to find out. I'd be interested in hearing it. Any pics or notes about the X brace ?? I'm building my second tenor from Hana Lima 'la plans with tradition fan braces.


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The bracing looks a little crooked in the pic but it's not that bad, funky angle I guess.


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Aaron O
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:24 am 
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That looks about how I brace my Tiples, with 10 Steel strings.

I'd consider stringing yours with steel as well, just so the tension can move the soundboard. My opinion. Caveat, I don't really care for steel string ukulele, the ones that I've heard anyway.
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Allen McFarlen
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:26 pm 
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I agree with Aaron. That instrument looks to be extremely overbuilt for nylon strings.

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powdrell
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:57 pm 
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After building approx 15 fan braced, I've now moved over to X bracing on all my tenor ukes...simple X, not much else...
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Aaron O
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 3:56 am 
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Actually Tim, I'll need to change my suggestion. The bracing is setup for a Tiple. Assuming that's a Spruce top, I'd throw 10 strings on it. If you're concerned, do a thicker bridge with a shallower break angle, with bridge pins.

Here's a thread in the Underground you may find interesting:
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/sho ... tion/page2

And I have a few tiple vids I can link, if you're interested.
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Ben-Had
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 9:03 am 
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Allen McFarlen wrote:
I agree with Aaron. That instrument looks to be extremely overbuilt for nylon strings.

Well it was an experiment so I'll find out soon enough - its curing in the spray booth.

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Ben-Had
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 5:05 pm 
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It's complete and despite some of your concerns it is quite loud. I have a friend that is a very good uke player and he agrees. We tested it to his loudest and it held its own. Perhaps it is the torrefied top that helps with the volume. Anyway, I'm pleased with the end result.


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These users thanked the author Ben-Had for the post: bcombs510 (Sun Apr 02, 2017 8:24 pm)
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bcombs510
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 8:25 pm 
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Looks great! What's the finish?


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Ben-Had
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 8:52 pm 
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bcombs510 wrote:
Looks great! What's the finish?

Thanks. It's nitro, gloss top and satin on the rest. Torrefied sitka top (and bracing), Honduran mahogany b/s, ivoroid binding, grover tuners, abalone inlay, Aquila Low G nyglut strings.

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These users thanked the author Ben-Had for the post: bcombs510 (Sun Apr 02, 2017 8:53 pm)
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edstrummer
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:09 pm 
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Nice job, Tim. I'm very impressed and glad X brace worked out.



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These users thanked the author edstrummer for the post: Ben-Had (Wed Apr 05, 2017 11:27 pm)
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edstrummer
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 2:32 pm 
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Is the bracing as heavy as it looks? Hard to tell from pics. I would love to try the X on my next project. Another tenor.
Ed

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Ben-Had
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 4:00 pm 
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edstrummer wrote:
Is the bracing as heavy as it looks? Hard to tell from pics. I would love to try the X on my next project. Another tenor.
Ed

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No. I think it looks heavier because it looks like a small guitar in the pic (matter of perspective). I cut them the same size as the fan braces would have been. Took the dimensions off the template I had (Waldron Music).

EDIT: I should add in case one can't tell, the braces are scalloped.

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mountain whimsy
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 10:22 am 
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Lovely looking instrument. I'm about to dive into a baritone for a band mate. I think he'll like the clean look of yours. Is that Ivoroid binding and end graft?

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Ben-Had
 Post subject: Re: X Braced Ukulele
PostPosted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 12:00 pm 
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mountain whimsy wrote:
Is that Ivoroid binding and end graft?

Thanks and yes it is.

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