Official Luthiers Forum!

How large is it necessary to keep the bridge plate on a bridge location that is smack dab in the middle of the lower bout.
I'm working on a 34" scale acoustic bass and am wondering how large it needs to be. Is it necessary to make it touch the x braces on either side?
Thanks.
-j.

_________________
“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Yes ..it HAS to touch .. and your bridge wings better sit on top of the X as well or the top will wrinkle in front of the bridge .... seen it happen on a Alvarez AB ... just plain bad design. sounds like you X brace may be too open ????

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Closing up the X angle isn't a problem. Sounds like the bridge plate and bridge in relation to the X is more important than the angle of the X. Is that right, Tony?
That makes a lot of sense that it would need that stablility to prevent a dimple/wrinkle/fold in that space.
I've got an oversized 12 string bridge that should help with making X contact, too.
Thanks, Tony.
-j.j.Brown39020.5369560185

_________________
“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

J.Brown,

Keep us posted with pics on your progress.

I have an ABG 34" scale in the planning stages although it will probably be next summer before I really start on the bass.

There are sanding dishes to route, a hot pipe for bending and I need to finish my router table.

After planning alot of Padauk with a router jig which took ALOT of time I am going for all Woodcraft gist certificates for Christmas to buy a planer.

Will do, scooter.
-j.

_________________
“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

J,

It's not only a possible cave-in in front of the bridge that you have to be concerned about.

Whenever you have an unsupported edge running parallel to the grain lines, such as the bridge or bridge plate ends, or the ends of cross-braces that aren't inset into the linings, any stress (like shrinking or a bump) can easily cause a crack along the grain. The vast majority of the bridge plate advice I've seen here is to butt it up to the X. Some even inset the ends into the X.

Larrivee's web site used to have a pic of the bracings he uses - including the bass .. the X angle was under 90 degrees for sure with the bridge placement way back in the lower bout.

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"