Official Luthiers Forum!

Expansion rate matches would only make since if the wood expands the same in every direction, which it doesn't, or if you line up all grain directions in your top with the grain directions of your brace, which you don't.

I also might add that I don't believe it make any sense to pick brace wood off of botanical names. I think your much better off picking the wood by the properties you're looking for.
Granted, certain species stack the deck, but it's no guarantee.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

the best place the get red spruce bracewood is John Griffin at old standard. He has LOTS. When I visited his shop he had multiple stacks at least 10 ft square, and 6 foot high neatly stacked bracewood. He sells it by the pound, and $100 worth will last a dozen guitars at least.... It's a little thicker than some places too so it is perfect. Don't mess with the other crap guys are selling... Old standard is the way to go.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com