Bracing patterns for flamenco guitars

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musicalgrant

Posts: 188
Joined: Oct. 21 2004

Bracing patterns for flamenco guitars

Hi

Can anyone enlighten me as to which is a good bracing pattern?

And where i can find the specifications to make a decent flamenco guitar?

I did a guitar making course a few years ago, and was wondering where to start?

Cheers

Grant

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 19 2005 20:14:02

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Bracing patterns for flamenco gu... (in reply to musicalgrant)

I think Anders can give you an excellent answer to that. Good luck with it!

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Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 20 2005 2:00:39

Guest

RE: Bracing patterns for flamenco gu... (in reply to musicalgrant)

Hi Grant

Well a good flamenco bracing pattern is something personal. You can get plans with the information you are looking for.

Barbero plan: www.lmii.com
Santos Hernandez plan: www.madinter.com

I will recommend you to build a copy as a first guitar, and then you can develop your own pattern later on. Both plans work very well. I personally use a pattern derived from Barbero, but it's so personalized, that it's my system.

Good luck
Anders

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 20 2005 9:02:40

musicalgrant

Posts: 188
Joined: Oct. 21 2004

RE: Bracing patterns for flamenco gu... (in reply to musicalgrant)

Thanks for that Anders, i had no idea where to look.

Ive got books on making classical and acoustic, but not flamenco.

I will have to invest in some Barbero and Santos Hernandez plans, and yes stick to one or the other as it will be the second guitar that i have built.

Cheers

Grant

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 20 2005 18:13:47

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Bracing patterns for flamenco gu... (in reply to musicalgrant)

Making Master Guitars by Roy Courtnell - £49 all the photos and plans you'll need. You can order 1:1 scale copies from the author
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0709048092/qid%3D1111353872/202-0011409-9623825
With that and Cumpiano you're all set

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0811806405/qid=1111353985/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_17_1/202-0011409-9623825

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 20 2005 20:28:07

musicalgrant

Posts: 188
Joined: Oct. 21 2004

RE: Bracing patterns for flamenco gu... (in reply to musicalgrant)

Thanks simon

I've said them to favourites, have you seen this pattern Before? Looks like fun

Cheers and thanks again...Ill have to start buying tools and wood and stuff...

Cheers

Attachment (1)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 20 2005 20:49:27

musicalgrant

Posts: 188
Joined: Oct. 21 2004

RE: Bracing patterns for flamenco gu... (in reply to musicalgrant)

have you guys seen this site?

guitar pattern

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 20 2005 23:44:35

musicalgrant

Posts: 188
Joined: Oct. 21 2004

RE: Bracing patterns for flamenco gu... (in reply to musicalgrant)

This one has free patterns too

free patterns

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 20 2005 23:49:32

Armando

Posts: 302
Joined: May 27 2005
From: Zürich, Switzerland

RE: Bracing patterns for flamenco gu... (in reply to musicalgrant)

Hello

This is a common question among new starting luthiers. José Ramirez wrote in his book, that he dedicated himself a lot in his earlier years to the development of a new bracing pattern that is superior to the traditional design. The conclusion was, that the sound did not improove at all. This means for me, that the soundboard bracing is just one factor of the whole construction. It's rather the summary of a well construction that leads to a good result than just the bracing pattern. The correct thicknessing of the soundboard related to the stiffness of the wood is maybe even more important. The bracing should only support the soundboard to resist the string tension. It's therefore also important to evaluate the correct thickness of the braces. If the braces are too thick, then it will stiffen the soundboard too much which may result in a weak tone and lack of dynamic.
If the braces are too thin, then it may dome the soundbaord after a certain time due to the stringtension. The sound would probably have strong basses in the beginning but the guitar will develop negatively and it may end up as not playable instrument.
To may opinion it is not possible to say which bracing pattern is best. It depends also what sound is desired in the completeted instrument.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 28 2005 14:16:29