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I am making a new bridge for a 53 Gibson LG1, when I inspected the condition of the bridge patch I learned that this particular guitar is ladder braced, with a bridge patch that is "floating" out in the center of the sound board without contact of any bracing. it also appears that one of the back braces was removed or fell off and was glued to the top creating a double ladder brace near the soundhole. it`s no wonder that this top has domed up....

is this how these guitars were made originally? or has this particular guitar been alterd by a clueless repair person somewhere along the line.

thanks in advance,
Matt

They are indeed ladder braced, and they frequently pull up. I have one to do myself. It looks like some misled repair person used a back brace to try and stiffen the top! But I think, if you look at the direction that the top moves as it bellies up, you could put all of the ladder braces on there that you want and since they are glued to the top in the same direction as the belly, they won't help at all!
What these guitars really need is X-bracing. They really aren't worth a ton as a collectable (granted, they are worth something, though) I like to pull the top, or the back, and X-brace them. they really sound great after that.

_________________
Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

gibsons of that era are somewhat noted for loose braces so while you're at it check them all.crazymanmichael38632.4610763889

Wow, I cant belive they made them that way...
none of the braces are tucked into the linings at all,the whole thing is just floating.

it held up amazingly considering the way it was made.

thanks for the info

Are you sure about the dating of the guitar? In '53 they were still doing good quality stuff, but as the 60's wore on the quality of Gibsons went right down the toilet for a while there. There were _many_ LG1's made in that time.

_________________
Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

the untucked braces were common on older gibsons, and were one of the reasons why the braces come loose if the instrument is subject to stress.

and there are still some custom builders who do not tuck the braces in, arguing that it allows the top more freedom to emit sound.crazymanmichael38633.415462963

No I am not totally sure of the dating of the guitar, but I did find a tag in the case that had the date and serial number on it so I assume someone has looked into the dating of the guitar.

I guess the untucked bracing and floating bridge patch contribute to that open warm classic Gibson tone. I have players that are looking for that in a guitar, but "I" could never build that way and still sleep at night.

it seems a shame to me that they would go through all the trouble of building a solid wood guitar, with a killer vintage sunburst and a great neck, only to blow it in the bracing dept.

MattMatt Gage38633.373587963