McClelland Woodworks Video Journal #6. Bracing.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Acoustic guitar top bracing patterns. History of acoustic guitar top bracing patterns an Installing the bracing on two different tops.
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I am a little late here but I must say I love how meticulous you are. True craftsmanship at work. The H bracing resembles Taylors V style pattern. I hear others talk about how it makes the guitar intonation better up the neck. I think that is subjective but it would appear to be a better structurally with the braces more linear to the bridge. I like the idea of your experimental bracing and design. Would love to hear them played. Thank you for sharing your passion.
I have another new bracing I am trying you can see it in the Ambrosia maple builds (play list # three). The guitars in that play list are now being finished with Nitrocellulose lacquer and will be finished probably in Jan 2024, I cant wait to hear how they sound. I plan on doing a video where I play all three of my bracing patterns for you all to hear. Than you for watching!
Brilliant
Thank you!
I’m really enjoying watching your videos. Just discovered them recently. Thanks!
Thank you for the kind words!
we are enjoying your videos
Thanks for sharing the video?
What are the differences/advantages of your H-Bracing vs your X-Bracing?
Thank you!
The H braced guitars give a more focused sound sort of like what you would get from the early Harmony, Kalamazoo, Kay style ladder braced guitars. It's a Vintage sort of sound. I have two other bracing patterns that I use as well and I plan on doing a video comparing them all. Thanks for the question & for watching!
Always seemed a longitudinal weakness in x bracing, especially at the soundhole, which can cause a guitar to fold in on itself, especially in high action/slide or heavy stringed instruments. Your H bracing seems to counter that. I look forward to hearing it once complete
I have made a few guitars now with this H pattern and the sound is more focused than the ones with the X brace. I have another new pattern I have come up with in the builds I am working on now. I'm looking forward to hearing how it will sound.
REALLY great video and thanks so much for sharing your process. I have quick question/comment. I don't think I've seen such wide brace material before on a build? I think Martin uses either 1/4" or 5/16" widths and am not suggesting you should follow Martin's lead but am curious about your choice of brace width and thank you again for such a great video!
Actually the main braces in the H and X patterns are 5/16" thick and the finger braces are 1/4". Than you for watching and keep on I have many more videos planned!
Thanks for the reply, I guess they just look wider in the video@@mcclellandwoodworks
very meticulous work is this H bracing pattern your design and where do you find the theory on how to design the thickness and voicing of the H style bracing
Hello Mark, The H brace was an original idea inspired not in the least from my studying other bracing patterns by major guitar manufactures. I have been in the music industry for a long, long time selling and repairing guitars. Way back when I started collecting information and diagrams of different bracing patterns, while the majority of manufactures use the standard “Martin X brace” not all have. Ovation guitars came in a verity of bracing designs. After reading Ervin Somogyi thoughts on structural design and function of top bracing I got to thinking how to brace the top in a different way. I played around with many designs and the H seamed to hold the most promise, so I used it. I have made about 4 instruments with the H pattern so far and I am pleased with the results. I will keep on refining it as I build and evaluate the results. Thanks for the question and for watching!
When glueing on the braces, is the guitar top resting on an arched/radiused table to accept the radiused side of the braces?
Yes. The top is resting on the 30' radius dish that the braces were sanded on. I have placed a sheet if shelf liner under the top to protect it from the heavy grit paper of the sanding dish. Thanks for watching!
Very nice. In neither bracing pattern you put the small braces (the tip) underside the main braces. Why in the structural and sound approach? Many thanks!
I’m assuming you’re talking about the finger braces , I don’t tuck them in under the linings because I want the top to have movement around the sides, think of a speaker cones movement.
Good question thanks.
@@mcclellandwoodworks yes. That and you also don't tuck them under the main braces. Same reason? And for the back, what you think about other bracing like a mini xbrace in the back lower bout?
Yes the same reason for the main braces. As far as back bracing goes there are two schools of thought, one believing that the back is a resonating plate like the top and to brace it accordingly. The other that the back should be stiff and keep the vibrational energy in the top. Since most acoustic steel string players play with the instruments back held to the body thus dampening it , I build my guitars this way.
Many thanks!
H brace looks like it may have som advantages over the X bare. However I have an idea that would make it even better
The H brace is a work in progress, I evaluate each instrument I use it on and adjust from there. Tell me about your thoughts on the design.
Wow .Where did you get that brace wood ?
I have had some spruce for years that I obtained from a vendor that specialized in Violin, Viola and Cello tops (as they are quarter sawn billets). I got to purchase some of his seconds that I split and milled for my brace stock.
@@mcclellandwoodworks Yes ..Even the Violin supplier’s don’t have that quality material anymore .Sad.