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Back brace question
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=11265		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:26 pm ]
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So, why do steels string guitars have 4 back braces, and classicals only 3?   

I asked this question to Frank Finocchio last February while I was slaving away in his shop (and preparing to brace my OM (or Prima's) back. We had been tapping the back of another class member's guitar, who was building a classical, and locating the nodal positions. So, Frank, why isn't a steel string done the same way? Go ahead and do it, he says. One year later, I'm still happily playing my Prima with 3 back braces.

Why 4?

Author:  Jim Watts [ Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:43 pm ]
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That's an excellent question. The only reason I can Think of is that they are larger. Lets see what others have to say.
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:08 am ]
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I'll answer your question with another question.

Why not two braces instead of four?
Author:  TRein [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:28 am ]
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Ignatio Fleta, one of the most revered classical makers, always used 4 braces in his later period. I believe Hernandez y Aguado used 4 braces in some of their guitars also.
Author:  CarltonM [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:55 am ]
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[QUOTE=Bruce Dickey]Why not two braces instead of four?[/QUOTE]
Wait--why not five?

I suspect that the simple transverse back bracing system was arrived at intuitively. Three braces have worked well for some luthiers, while others probably had a failure or two and started using four as insurance. I think some folks just can't stand to see any large, unbraced expanses on a plate because they worry about what can happen under decades of stress.

Some builders are getting away from the transverse system on backs, and are bracing them more like tops.

So, why four braces? Because that number has worked well on steel string guitars for decades, and many, or most, builders feel that if it ain't broken, don't try to fix it.
Author:  Martin Turner [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:39 am ]
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[QUOTE=Bruce Dickey] I'll answer your question with another question.

Why not two braces instead of four?[/QUOTE]

I dont think two braces would be sufficient to maintain the domed shape of the back. That said there are some people making braceless backs.
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:21 am ]
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[QUOTE=kiwigeo] I dont think two braces would be sufficient to maintain the domed shape of the back. That said there are some people making braceless backs.[/QUOTE]

Sure, if they are laminated (Guild comes to mind) or arched (like an archtop), but a normal, solid unbraced back? There are people making guitars like that?
Author:  Martin Turner [ Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:10 pm ]
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Yep there are. Heres one:

http://www.schrammguitars.com/

Cheers Martin
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