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I was just wondering if anybody here has ever tried a Smallman type lattice braced guitar on a steel string? For those of you not familiar, the Smallman lattice brace guitars are very heavy because the inside is built up to make the back and sides as stiff as posible so most of the string energy gets tranferred to the top. The back is also laminated in an arch similar to a cello to provide better volume and projection. The tops are very thin and the lattice provides support so it is very stiff but lightweight. It works great when done properly on a classical, but I've never seen it done on a steel string. Has anybody ever seen this?

Cheers!

John

I've never heard of a lattice braced steel string but I'd be surprised if it has never been done. My guess, however, is that it probably didn't work out very well. The hard part on a classical guitar is to get good trebles. The hard part of steel string is to get good bass. This tends to lead to different bracing patterns for the two types of guitars.

However, the X brace was developed for gut strung guitars and I've heard some of those. They sounded pretty good but not like a classical guitar. It's hard to describe the difference though. The X brace really shines on steel strings.

You could always try a lattice braced steel string and find out it it works. You'll have to pay close attention to the structural loads which may make your braces really heavy.

Sergei de Jonge has done a number of lattice-braced steel strings. They still use an X-brace as their main support with lattice weaved on the lower bout. Just like his classicals. They sound fine. I would describe the tone as "even". I think I'll build my baritone this way...

Calling Josh House ... he had built some that way .. I think he has gone away from them and is doing a more std bracing scheme these days (he learned from SdJonge)

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

I have been playing around with a lattice in the lower bout. I still use a
typical X brace. I am looking to create a symetrical bracing to the guitar.
Smallman is an entirely different beast!!!!

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Here's a photo of the bracing I did on the guitar I built in my class with Sergei:



Here's what the top looks like from the outside:



This guitar has a sitka top and black walnut b & s. It is mid-sized, with a shape of Sergei's design (his "SS" - standard steel string). 65 cm scale. The sound gets rave reviews from everyone who plays and hears it. Not the biggest bass sound in the world, but a very nice, clear, defined, "piano-like" bass. Excellent mids and highs. Very lively, colorful sound. Good note separation. It does everything it's asked to do. It just LOVES to sing, and does so with gusto, fortitude, and spirit.   

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

It looks like some of you have tried the lattice top. Building in the Australian "lattice" style also means arching the back like a cello by using laminates (no back braces), as well as stiffening up the sides so they don't move as much which transfers more evergy to the top and gives that HUGE volume associated with lattice guitars. Here's a pic of the inside of a typical Australian type lattice guitar before the back is attached. I'd really be curious to see if anybody has built a back/side combo like this on a steel string.