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My last few builds I inlet the top X braces at the top only while tapering them down to nothing at the lower bout. I've been thinking that the back braces really don't need to be inlet. They could be tapered to nothing just before the linings.
This would make it easier and quicker to assemble, but perhaps more importantly, a more lively back. (Depending on your POV about the back.)
No that I've let this can-o-worms out, what do you think?
Let the arguing begin!

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Hi Steve;

I build with both styles depending on the type of guitar and the woods used for the back. I think inletting the bracing imparts more string vibration to the guitar as a whole. Also makes setting the back in it's proper position a little easier when you have the brace slots to align. I often do the same thing with the "X" on top, I inlet about 3/16" or so thick by the width of the linings or kerfing. On Ukuleles and some types of guitars I actually set the back bracing in the ribs first and attatch the back.
I guess it sometimes depends on how I feel that day. --N.C.

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Nehemiah Covey
www.coveysacoustics.com

Steve my friend I too like the idea of freeing up the back but I have the same concern that the repair guys will and that is an inlet brace is far less likely to come off.

But..... I have seen 1930's Gibsons where they feathered the back braces down to say .005 and with out making a pocket in the kerfed linings attached the back. The examples that I have seen have not come loose either. This has me thinking that this might actually be a good compromise that would free up the back without the risk of a back brace coming off. And of course depending on how tightly we are each individually wrapped some may not need to even make the pockets.

Charles Fox as well as Paul Woolson do it this way.
Paul says it far more challenging getting it just right using this method.

I should say the feather there back braces to almost nothing and slip them under the linings.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Thanks Lance - do you know if they make the shallow pocket or just clamp the back on over the feathered brace ends?

If 1930 Gibsons are still holding up, then it should be OK.
Thank you all for the information. I'll give it a try soon.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I treat the back upper bout as more structural and lower bout as more about sound. Lower two braces get feathered way down (but not to nothing--they still are preventing splits even if they are not stiffening much), upper two stay pretty substantial where they are inlet.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Thank you for that insight. That makes a lot of sense.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

No inlet cut. I am trying to find a picture. Its slick as snot!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Here ya go!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

No....... it can't be....... does your neck block have finish on it?????

Lance that is the neatest work I have ever seen - the bar is raised again!

I still want a scratching my head emotocon

Lance I dont get it I see no picture, no link just white space

I think that photo is a Fox box, is it not?

Must be a firewall issue. I see the link when I quote you but as soon as I submit the link disapears. i went to the the link and all I get is a blank page. ( would be followed by a scratching head enotocon IF I HAD ONE)

I see it. Must be "Operator Head-Space", Michael.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

There are many around here far too young to understand this but Waddy are you saying my nick name should be Max Headroom

I was actually referring to setting of head-space on a 50 Cal Machine Gun. Often when they jammed it was due to the operator failing to properly set the head-space during set-up. Commonly known in the military as "Operator Head-Space". However, I do remember Max Headroom very well. In that case we'd be talking about "Headroom Head-Space".

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

So not inletting the braces gives you more headroom?

(Not to get back on subject or anything.)

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Steve that would be getting into the subject of active vs. reflective back - not that there is anything wrong with that mind you..... I prefer active backs personally so this discussion is of great interest to me.

Waddy bro I thought that by head room you were referring to your experiences during the construction of Stonehenge...... running for cover now.....

"Don't get mad. Get even!.........Don't get mad. Get even!.........Don't get mad. Get even!"

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Waddy keep this to your self but i realy did help buiild Stinehinge the replaca here at the Univerity of Texas of the Permian Basin

Man, Michael, the rocks are the wrong color! You're gonna have to swap those out.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars