Anders Eliasson -> RE: Reyes (Blackshear) bracing layout (Oct. 21 2009 1:20:57)
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Fabian, I think its a good idea not to mix the Reyes pattern with your Santos build. A few thoughts. The long contrapuente is not a Reyes thing. I dont know who started using long contrapuentes, but I kow that Barbero started using it in the 50th. He did that in order to gain harmonics on the guitar. The guitarists of that time wanted something else than the very dry sounding guitars aka Santos etc. I use a long contrapuente, but its very thin, a max of 1mm tapering out towards the sides. Its also narrow. some 12 - 15mm tapering out towards the sides as well. Besides the fact that I prefer the sound, it also helps controlling the dome of the soundboard. I now build "flat" but the contrapuente raises the soundboard 1- 1,5mm and does that you wont have problems with the soundboard sinking towards the sides. Controlling the shape of the soundboard is very important IMO With respect of Reyes litlle "conector pieces" I can imagine that what Tom says is correct. Maybe they serve a similar purpose as the closing struts that I and most other builders use. But if you want to be sure, better ask Reyes himself. I know that many of his guitars have been build without those wooden pieces. Your Santos: First thing. It sound to me that 2,4mm in the center is very thick if you are using spruce. Especially on such a small guitar. I would personally, if using a high quality soundboard go down to 2,1 (maybe 2,2) in the center. And I would build with a long, thin and narrow contrapuente. If the soundboard is good and you are building 2,4, the guitar will most probably end up having strong trebles but poor dynamics (percussiveness) and a poor balance. It will be very stiff to play and sound metallic. In the end, making a good guitar is much more about achieving a good balance of all the componenets than using this or that bracing system, closing struts, contrapuente, asymetrical, symetrical etc. I´ve tried a lot of different systems. 4 of them I have worked intensively producing various guitars. They are all good systems and they all have their strong and not so strong sides. Getting a feeling for what is doing what is difficult and in the end you have to accept that 1 correct or best sound doesnt exist. There´s always some kind of compromise in the whole story.
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