Shaping Braces for an OM 28

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scamp
Posts: 223
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2022 8:19 pm

Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by scamp »

Finishing up gluing the braces onto the top of my OM 28 1931 for my first guitar build. ( Kit from John Hall)
The braces supplied in the kit are scalloped.
That said, they still seem very bulky and I believe need trimming.
Obviously, there is a whole magic art to this and is well beyond my experience level at this point.
At this point, I just need some basic suggestions on how best to trim them for typical performance.
If anyone has any pictures of a typical OM top with trimmed scalloped bracing it would sure help me out.

Thanks
MaineGeezer
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Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm

Re: Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by MaineGeezer »

This might help. I found it online someplace.
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Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
scamp
Posts: 223
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2022 8:19 pm

Re: Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by scamp »

Mainegeezer

The PDF is very helpful.

Thanks
Kevin Sjostrand
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Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Scot
This is an OM I did 11 years for a guy in England. It's a redwood top. He loved how it sounds.

Kevin
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carld05
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Location: Forest Ranch, CA

Re: Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by carld05 »

How wide and high are they? Bottom of the curve on the scallops? That sure is pretty!
Kevin Sjostrand
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Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Hmmm I make the X and tone braces 5/16th wide and start with 1/2" tall. Scallops generally go down to about 3/16th from the surface of the top.
scamp
Posts: 223
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2022 8:19 pm

Re: Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by scamp »

Very nice shaping on those braces.
I will try to emulate this as best I can.

Thanks
Stray Feathers
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Location: Ladysmith, BC

Re: Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by Stray Feathers »

Here's a fun-to-watch video of how a luthier at Martin shapes scalloped braces - all in less than 4 minutes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz-2OL_b-oU

Bruce W.
scamp
Posts: 223
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2022 8:19 pm

Re: Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by scamp »

Amazing. I just found that Martin video myself.
I copied the link and signed into the forum to post it for others to see and you beat me to it.
Looks like this guy has done it before :)
I'll try to do the same thing.... only it will take half a day.
MaineGeezer
Posts: 1711
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm

Re: Shaping Braces for an OM 28

Post by MaineGeezer »

He sure has a wicked sharp chisel!
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
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