Top and brace materials

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Phil
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Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2010 11:23 am
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Top and brace materials

Post by Phil »

Should you match the material of your braces with your top? In other words say I use an engelman top, should I also use engelman braces?

I ask because I am planning my next 2 builds. I have an adirondak top and an engelman I am thinking of using, but I only have sitka brace stock.
Ben-Had
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Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 2:14 pm
Location: Creedmoor, NC

Re: Top and brace materials

Post by Ben-Had »

Either way will work, tone is likely to vary only slightly either way.
Tim Benware
tippie53
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Re: Top and brace materials

Post by tippie53 »

I have done them both ways
for me I gravitated to all red spruce bracing
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
jamoat52
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:05 pm

Re: Top and brace materials

Post by jamoat52 »

I recommend using primarily adirondack spruce braces on all tops. Of course it should be quartersawn and with as tight of a grain as possible. Stiff stable braces are crucial to top stability and strength imo.
George
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