Official Luthiers Forum!

Are there any real advantages to x-bracing the back or is it more esthetics?

Each builder will have their own view so here's mine.

- you can "tune" the back better to match the top (see Alan Carruth's posts)

- I find it gives a more responsive guitar with better projection.

- I like the way it domes the back front to back as well as side to side rather than having to bend the back to the side profiles to do this.

- fewer inlets in the kerfing to join the back (4 in my design)

- I like the way it looks

_________________
Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

As Dave just stated, it makes the back more cntrolable in it respoce I use a star shape on SJs and Dreadnaughts(a 90 deg X with added laterial fingers) this also suports the dome shape better. It als allows me to use shallower and thinner braces there by reducing mass.

Michael-
Any photos of yours you'd be able to share? 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

Yep just a min and I will find one

Here is your picture. This is an SJ

MichaelP38971.3781481481

J.,
Here's a pic of mine(I know, the X is off). This was my 2nd guitar, and I really love the sound of it. I love X braced backs, I think they look cool and sound better. To my ear, at least.

Tracy

_________________
Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

That's about the layout I use. I generally end up with the X tall in the middle and tapered off, and the waist bar quite small, but that's just what seems to work for me. The X angle is probably important, but I haven't figured out yet how to get it 'right' the first time.