Scalloped Bracing?
- Thread starter yoffer
- Start date
danerectal
Senior Member
I think it attaches less mass to the top of the guitar allowing for a freer vibration. I could be wrong, but that's my hypothesis.
yoffer said:
Actually the idea of scalloping the braces is to reduce the dumping mass on the top while preserving the structural strength of these "Ribs" in order to counterbalance the stress of the strings: you scallop the end on the brace that doesn't play any structural role tapering the profile of the brace.
Theoretically it should give more volume, but on the other side the bracing of my D-25 is massive and the sound is beautiful too.
I think that on Martin's website there pic of scalloped and unscalloped X bracing systems.
http://www.frets.com/FRETSpages/History ... races.html
This is interesting, I'd like to find something about Guild, not just Martin...maybe Hans can help us.
This is interesting, I'd like to find something about Guild, not just Martin...maybe Hans can help us.
Jase,
Just as an aside, the question has also been asked many times if it really does matter... i.e., does it affect tone?
The answer to that question is a big yes. Well, let me clarify that... the type, placement, and scalloping of braces *all* play a major role in the tone of a guitar. Martin really puts that in your face when you start examining the various members of one of their product lines to try to choose one you like. E.g., you can compare 28-series dreads with a dizzying array of bracing combinations and materials options. You will find wide variances in tone.
In the Guild line, there have been a number of models that have had straight bracing that eventually ended up getting scalloped. I can't really say what the specific difference is as none of mine can be compared. If I ever string my F-512 up as a 6-string, maybe I can do that. However, the odds of that ever happening are quite slim.
Just as an aside, the question has also been asked many times if it really does matter... i.e., does it affect tone?
The answer to that question is a big yes. Well, let me clarify that... the type, placement, and scalloping of braces *all* play a major role in the tone of a guitar. Martin really puts that in your face when you start examining the various members of one of their product lines to try to choose one you like. E.g., you can compare 28-series dreads with a dizzying array of bracing combinations and materials options. You will find wide variances in tone.
In the Guild line, there have been a number of models that have had straight bracing that eventually ended up getting scalloped. I can't really say what the specific difference is as none of mine can be compared. If I ever string my F-512 up as a 6-string, maybe I can do that. However, the odds of that ever happening are quite slim.
For a little more info, check out the article on bracing here: http://westerlyguildguitars.com/articles/articles.htm
It was an entertaining read.
It was an entertaining read.
A Legal Warning:
The following is just MHOs and may or not be true.
I find that a scalloped top, Acoustic Guitar, has a more open or vibrant tone when new and right out of the box.
After years of play a non-scalloped Guitar may achieve a comparable level of open tone.
But I cannot say one brace design is better than the other.
Because it has a lot to do with musical and playing styles. So, I have multiples of both designs.
When I am finger picking,(without picks), I prefer a scalloped top guitar, it delivers more of everything. Also good for light gauge strings. Exp: couch or coffey-house playing on a LG-2, D55, HD-28V, ect.
But when I am cranking down with a heavy flat pick, on medium gauge strings I really prefer a non-scalloped top guitar. I get the volume and tone from my hand action. EXP: Jam,Bluegrass,ect.on a D25,D-18 or D28.
Although anything can be played on any type of guitar,( note Willies Trigger), different Guitars and design features, for different types of music and play styles are great, its just that each of us must arrive at what we like.
Try them all...find your sound.
Dale.
The following is just MHOs and may or not be true.
I find that a scalloped top, Acoustic Guitar, has a more open or vibrant tone when new and right out of the box.
After years of play a non-scalloped Guitar may achieve a comparable level of open tone.
But I cannot say one brace design is better than the other.
Because it has a lot to do with musical and playing styles. So, I have multiples of both designs.
When I am finger picking,(without picks), I prefer a scalloped top guitar, it delivers more of everything. Also good for light gauge strings. Exp: couch or coffey-house playing on a LG-2, D55, HD-28V, ect.
But when I am cranking down with a heavy flat pick, on medium gauge strings I really prefer a non-scalloped top guitar. I get the volume and tone from my hand action. EXP: Jam,Bluegrass,ect.on a D25,D-18 or D28.
Although anything can be played on any type of guitar,( note Willies Trigger), different Guitars and design features, for different types of music and play styles are great, its just that each of us must arrive at what we like.
Try them all...find your sound.
Dale.
Taylor Martin Guild
Senior Member
I agree with Dale.
I have several guitars and they all have different bracing patterns.
Each of my guitars have their own unique voice and I love them for their individual voices.
I don't know how someone can could have just one guitar.
I have several guitars and they all have different bracing patterns.
Each of my guitars have their own unique voice and I love them for their individual voices.
I don't know how someone can could have just one guitar.
Hi jazzmang: in case you or anyone else didn't know, that site belongs to our BB member Tim Kelm and his brother. One of the best Guild photo collections on the web, especially for the acoustics. Jjazzmang said:
Paddlefoot
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This is the sort of thing that makes instrument building an art. You can modify instruments and end up with something way beyond your expectations or end up with junk too. It all has to work together. Just as an example Martins D-35 w/ the three piece back. Some like 'em and some don't. Martin went to 1/4 in. thick braces on the top because they felt the back was stiffer and didn't allow the same projection that the D-28 has with it's 5/16s braces. It does give the D-35 a different response to your fingers or pick. Martin guys argue back and forth about the "popsicle stick" brace under the end of the fretboard. I have them both ways but couldn't tell you which is which if I didn't know the specs on the guitars. Funny how Guild manages to build such great sounding guitars without all this drama.
taabru45
Enlightened Member
Funny how Guild manages to build such great sounding guitars without all this drama.
American Guilds have always been superb, and along with building great guitars without all the drama, they certainly have had their share of drama in other areas, as we all know. :lol: :lol: Steffan
American Guilds have always been superb, and along with building great guitars without all the drama, they certainly have had their share of drama in other areas, as we all know. :lol: :lol: Steffan