What kind of back braces and top braces

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Ahmed Flamenco

Posts: 163
Joined: Feb. 22 2014
From: Egypt

What kind of back braces and top braces

Hi luthiers Tomorrow I'm going to make a flamenco guitar for the first time, unfortunately there is no spruce braces in my country so what kind of braces should I look for also I will use sycamore instead of cypress for the body.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 26 2014 20:24:46

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: What kind of back braces and top... (in reply to Ahmed Flamenco)

quote:

Tomorrow I'm going to make a flamenco guitar for the first time

Wow, you must be even faster than SEden!
Sorry, couldn't resist the joke based on your wording.

So you're not using Spruce for top braces either?
I use Western Red Cedar for back braces on flamenco guitars. It's lighter and stiff enough, and back braces don't need to resist string tension like top braces so you don't need a super strong material.

Good luck and keep us updated!

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 26 2014 21:17:55

Ahmed Flamenco

Posts: 163
Joined: Feb. 22 2014
From: Egypt

RE: What kind of back braces and top... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

At first thanks for your interest, I haven't bought anything but can I use mahogany for back braces, and for top is it possible to use walnut or sycamore?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2014 21:58:14

krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

RE: What kind of back braces and top... (in reply to Ahmed Flamenco)

quote:

unfortunately there is no spruce braces in my country

No spruce for braces? What are you using for your soundboard? Spruce or Cedar?

For the back bars, you will be ok with mahogany, and you could also use it for the 2 harmonic bars on the soundboard. But for the fan bracing you should find some spruce or cedar. Maybe you can use some offcuts from the edge of the soundboard?

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Kevin Richards

http://www.facebook.com/#!/kevin.richards.1048554

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2014 7:51:54

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: What kind of back braces and top... (in reply to Ahmed Flamenco)

I thought the same thing! I was going to offer you a job or at least ask for lessons. Can you not order the wood from another country and get it shipped to you? There are not really alot of options when it comes to top wood for a spanish guitar. They have to be light weight and very stiff.

_____________________________

Classical and Flamenco Guitars www.EdenGuitars.co.uk

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2014 13:09:49

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1676
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: What kind of back braces and top... (in reply to Ahmed Flamenco)

For fan braces use cutoffs from your soundboard wood. (As Anders once advised) if you leave your soundboard full thickness when you cut out the soundboard, and do it carefully and thoughtfully, there should be enough left for fan braces. What wood are you using for your soundboard? We hope spruce or cedar.

_____________________________

Ethan Deutsch
www.edluthier.com
www.facebook.com/ethandeutschguitars
www.youtube.com/marioamayaflamenco
I always have flamenco guitars available for sale.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2014 23:45:04