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Chris,
My comments regarding runnout(I mentioned curly wood because it does have a high degree of runnout, it would seem to be on topic) were directed at it reducing stiffness. I brought it up because you mentioned this.

and because what I had found in the past was that it did effect stiffness as well as strength.

I took the time to do a test. To confirm what I was sure I had found in woods with extream runnout(curly). Also applied to wood with a milder(although unacceptable for bracewood) runnout. Hopefully a dead load test like the one I performed would be a sufficient indicator.

As I mentioned my understanding is that stiffness relates to woods ability to resist deflection. Strength is a measure of woods ability to carry a load without failure. If I am mistaken, I am sure someone can correct me(I have been wrong before I could be wrong again). Both stiffness and strength are significant in bracewood, and anything that would modify these values without a change in density or volume of the brace should be prime considerations in bracewood. I really don't mean to confuse anyone or muddy the subject. Actually, I am trying to do just the opposite.

P.S. Hopefully I am not coming across in a negative way. It is not my intent , I am really trying to add to the topic in a positive manner.

and an EDIT; Just read through the topic you mentioned. I noticed Mario mentioned, Runout can actually make the wood stiffer, but it weakens it greatly(stiffness is not the same as strength). I am not sure exactly how it would add to the stiffness. I am curious though, as it is not what I have found to be the case.(confused and curious ).

Rich

Wished I hadn't asked now

Mat

"confused and curious "

Me too Rich, there's a lot to learn about this me thinks and I think it's likely pretty important for high performance acoustic guitars.

I have been chewing on this and thought I should go back and do a little reading to see what I might be missing. This is a link to a site that I have found handy in the past. http://www.auf.asn.au/scratchbuilder/timber.html#strength. From what I read, my understanding and test results seem to agree with the information they provide. Maybe there is more to what Mario was saying than a simple stick of wood and a dead load test(different anglular relation of forces applied or final carved form of a given brace relating to the slop?). It would be great if Mario ran across this thread and could shed some light on the subject(not sure if he is still around here much?).

Rich

You might try putting a question to Mario over at MIMF. I don't think he will be posting here .

Chris,
I asked the question over there this morning. It is in a different topic(the one mentioned in this thread was closed). Hopefully I will get some feedback, I will wait and see

Rich