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I'm drawing up plans for a jumbo, roughly based on a Taylor. In checking out Taylors posted pic of their bracing I ran across some panels above the soundhole and at the neck block. They're not very thick in appearance. I believe they're reinforcement for the neck mounting system, but I thought I'd ask if anybody here knows much about them.

As I don't plan to use their mounting approach. I was going to just leave them out! Any comments!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

IMHO They appear to be cross grained panels that are added to help eliminate the chance of a crack developing in the top along the sides of the fingerboard.

Taylor uses a different type of fingerboard extension attachment than the "standard" way of doing it, so these can most likely be left out if you are building a conventionally attached fingerboard.

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Reguards,

Ken H

Funny, I was just thinking about doing the same thing. I couldnt tell for sure but I thought Taylor actually routed out the under side of the top a bit and inlayed the reinforcement. Not sure it would matter though.

Warren.

Sorry, misunderstood your post. I was actually thinking of putting a cross grain piece similiar to that instead of the popsicle brace.

Warren.

No, I'm not going to use the Taylor joint, even though I admire it. I'm pretty sure it's just reinforcement too. Just thinking I'd pass it by, as I have never seen it on any other guitar.

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

About the upper panel.. How do you plan to make this work with your neck block? Would you cut the block short (by the thickness of the panel) and glue the top of the block to the panel or would you cut the panel around the neck block and glue directly to the top?

Also if you plan on using flat panels on the upper soundhole edge, have you given any consideration to making a larger patch to double the entire area around the soundhole? You can then eliminate the finger braces around the soundhole. I've used this approach on my last 3 guitars and I've really taken to that method. Just thought I'd mention it...

Cheers,
Chad

EDIT: I just realized you said you were NOT planing on adding the panel patches.

Right, I was just interested in the panels themselves, and planned to eliminate them as reinforcement. I think Taylor glues the panels down to the neck block because of the joint relief being CNC cut right into the block itself after the box is built.

Looks like nobody else knows anything more than I do.
Thanks guys!

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)