finalizing top bracing

[Darryl Young]

I can think of a reason for not tucking the braces in the lower bout.

Do you know how folks thin the perimeter of the lower bout to increase the bass response? It helps the mobility of the monopole mode which is predomininently formed in the lower bout. So why go to this trouble to loosen the perimeter of the lower bout.......then leave the lower X-brace arms fairly thick and tucked into the lining? As previously mention, the force of the strings is pulling the lower X brace arms into the sounboard (not away from the soundboard) so what are you gaining sound wise by tucking the lower X brass arms? Just my opinion and I'm sure it is a small difference, but it seems you are leaving some bass response on the table by tucking the lower X brace arms.

Same with leaving the tail block full thickness and then glueing the entire surface to the top. It puts a kink in the shape of the monopole ring in the lower bout. Can't you get more bass out of a bigger box (that is my experience). Trim the front portion of the tail block off at an angle leaving a section the same width as the lining and glue that portion to the top and seems you've effectively lengthened the body......and took that kink out of the node line of the monopole mode.

Just my thoughts. Seems these changes would have more affect on smaller bodies.