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RE: Fan braces over bridge patch (in reply to AndrewE)
Hi Andrew.
I think its a wrong idea to fit the braces above the bridge patch. You will clearly loose strength where you need it the most. If you can make a perfect fit and I mean perfect with a big P (I cant) then glue it above. If not, do like me, cut channels in the patch where the braces pass and glue the braces directly on the soundboard. Remember the braces are there in order to strengthen the top lengthwise and the less unnescessary weight, the best.
RE: Fan braces over bridge patch (in reply to Anders Eliasson)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Anders Eliasson
If not, do like me, cut channels in the patch where the braces pass and glue the braces directly on the soundboard.
I don't understand the purpose of the bridge patch. I suppose it could be a way to hold the side to side arch in the top, or perhaps if it is extended past the ends of the bridge it can help to prevent those annoying little ripples that can occur there. It would seem to be worthless for preventing checks from running past the bridge since the bridge does that already. Is it just a device to support the bridge while gluing? I've tried it in the past and couldn't see any effect on the sound so I dropped it. Why add superfluous weight?
RE: Fan braces over bridge patch (in reply to AndrewE)
I fit the braces to the bridge patch, when I use a bridge patch that is. Anders is right in that you need them to fit together well but I think to cut through the patch to the top is pretty much making the patch useless. The patch serves to increase the cross grain stiffness in that area and perhaps keep the top from distorting as much as it might between the braces.
Since your braces are taller than the patch, I don't think your losing any strength in the braces when you notch them out for the patch. Dake Traphagen builds a model whose bracing he attributes to Hauser II that has cutouts under the bridge as if there was a bridge patch, but without the bridge patch. I could be wrong in this analogy but it makes me think of a suspension bridge.
RE: Fan braces over bridge patch (in reply to jshelton5040)
quote:
ORIGINAL: John Shelton; "I suppose it could be a way to hold the side to side arch in the top.."
I using the vague Reyes plan put out by T.Blackshear and the top is basically flat in the bridge area. The patch is 1/32" thick under the bridge and tapers to nothing either side of the bridge. The patch cross all 7 braces in this design. Being so thin either side of the bridge it seems hard to see how it would stop any wrinkling.
The more I look at it the more they look superfulous.
RE: Fan braces over bridge patch (in reply to Anders Eliasson)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Anders Eliasson
John, I´ve done just as you say when I dont use a patch and I´ve pinned the bridge with a patch underneath.
If you're pinning the bridge it is logical to use the bridge patch for more support. We use masking tape to keep the bridge from sliding during gluing.
As far as "cross grain stiffness" I don't see how a thin layer of spruce or cedar could add much more stiffness than the bridge itself. Unless of course you extend it past the edges of the bridge. Extending the patch past the edges of the bridge will likely have an effect on the guitar's voice since you would essentially be enlarging the bridge's footprint.
RE: Fan braces over bridge patch (in reply to AndrewE)
Yes, I talked about extending the patch. It gives more harmonics and the top lifts a bit more. I do it on classicals but not on flamencos, even though I know that Barbero used to do so.
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