Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm ready to buy some new radius dishes (you listening Tracy ). So far I've built all dreds using 28 top and 20 back. I know that lots of people here are using 25 top and 15 back.

1) Can anyone explain specifically why they chose 25 and 15? Sound, stability?

2) Do you change your radius based on the guitar design (dred, om, sj)?

I am just trying to determine if I need to expand my dish collection or stick with what I've been using. All input will be greatly appreciated.    

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Don -
I use 15 & 25 foot radius' because that is what LMI sold way back when I
bought mine! I use them on all of my designs (no changes).

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Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

Don, Im in the 15 back and 30 top camp.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Martin uses 20 and 28 . I like the 15 25 foot . The extra doming helps with humidity changes and I think ads more strength. I actually can stand on a guitar without damage.
   I tried that once to see what a junker could take. Amazingly stronger than you think

As a very general rule the more dome the more projection, and the flatter
to dome the more warmth. Again that is painting it with VERY broad
strokes..

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Hello,
I've just tooled and jigged up for my first build and I made my dishes 15 and 28.

By the way, I've seen some discussion about dishes warping; I made mine from 3/4" MDF and glued two back to back. I made four dishes, so I have each set with a glueing side and a sanding side. Hopefully that won't warp.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Hello,
I've just tooled and jigged up for my first build and I made my dishes 15 and 28.

By the way, I've seen some discussion about dishes warping; I made mine from 3/4" MDF and glued two back to back. I made four dishes, so I have each set with a glueing side and a sanding side. Hopefully that won't warp.

Ron

whoops, forgot my signature.

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Don, I'm listening! I heard on some forum somewhere that the higher the radius, say 50' the more bass response, and the lower, the higher the pitch. You can demonstrate this by taking a joined top and pressing it against your chest while tapping it. As you make more dome, the pitch should rise. This is all theory, but I have heard of radius' as high as 50' and as low as 20'.

As for warping of dishes, it doesn't matter how much backing material you use, they will still warp if the wood is unstable. I sold a set of 13ply birch dishes at 30' and 12' and added a .75" backing of mdf and it was bolted and glued with a fiberglass resin, and it still warped. I had to replace the dishes. My point being, there is no for sure way to know this. However, my dishes are unconditionally guaranteed!

Don, I just updated my website last night with a new material that we are using for radius dishes. It is called waterproof EXTIRA mdf. We think this will be the most stable material on the market. I have some links to the specs of this material on my site. You should check it out. For only $5 more than 13ply birch, it is a steal! I hope to serve you. Good luck whatever you choose!
Tracytl50736238550.0281944444

Hi Tracy,

Good to hear from you, haven't seen you in a while. Thanks for the candor re: warping. Hope the new stuff is more reliable. You weren't having that problem often were you? What do you think caused it?

PS I made my own dishes, but I might buy a couple from you a little later on. Take care buddy.

Thanks Terry! It has only happened once, but I know it will happen again, and there is really nothing I can do about it. Some wood looks great on the outside, but as soon as you start cutting on it, it warps. But it usually takes a few days for this to happen. It is like when you cut a mahogany neck, sometimes they move way too much even though it looks like a stable piece of wood. But I guarantee everything, so if there is a problem, I'll take care of it. Hope to sell you some of these new dishes!
Regards,
Tracytl50736238550.4861574074