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Posts: 1694
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA
RE: Sycamore back thickness (in reply to aqualibguitars)
2.2 mm sounds like a good back thickness. I usually make them about 2.4 mm thick in the center and a little thinner towards the sides.
Whether to reinforce all the seams or just the center one is a good question. It seems to me that if the center seam needs it, then they all do. I have done it both ways, using Titebond glue for the seams, and had no problems either way.
RE: Sycamore back thickness (in reply to aqualibguitars)
Aqualib, Could depend on how figured the back wood and its potential to move around with time or humidity? I've been using 13mm circles of wood anywhere there is 10cm or more of unsupported back seam. Hard telling if it is enough but I'm building 1000g lightweights with an active back a la radial bracing in the lower bought. I'm seven guitars in so far which means I really don't know what I'm doing except I'm having fun and learning.
Common sense would say to glue reinforcement strips to all seams for longevity but sonically might say not. I like playing an active guitar, she is alive in ones hands of not as noisy out in front.
Super curious about your sycamore! Photos? Source? Etc?
HR
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I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy, doesn't have to be fast, should have some meat on the bones, can be raw or well done, as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.
RE: Sycamore back thickness (in reply to aqualibguitars)
Active back is what I meant to type Instead of having a continuous brace across the lower bought there is a radial pattern of sound bars allowing the back to resonate. It’s not “better” It’s just more personal kinda like a sound port in that you get more sound playing it. Although it does not mess with the sound hole frequency. To be honest I just liked the idea and have incorporated it in my first six builds, not in my parlor guitars but I might who knows. Tried to load a photo but it was too big :/
HR
_____________________________
I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy, doesn't have to be fast, should have some meat on the bones, can be raw or well done, as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.
I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy, doesn't have to be fast, should have some meat on the bones, can be raw or well done, as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.
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