Dreadnought back bracing

[Stray Feathers]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why Martin and its copiers make two dreadnought back braces thin and tall, and two low and wide? I have seen examples of other large-bodied guitars that use four similar narrow and tall braces, and that has me curious. Bruce W.

[tippie53]

that was the tradional way the higher braces started in the 1980's after a humidity issue

[phavriluk]

John, anything more specific?

[tippie53]

in what way??? Martin used this lower bracing on the back from the time he started building. I think it was just traditional of the European style, Then in the 1980s they redesigned the back braces and to me , it was mostly for warranty issues. Martin seldom did things for tone most changes were to resolve a warranty issue.

[tippie53]

in what way??? Martin used this lower bracing on the back from the time he started building. I think it was just traditional of the European style, Then in the 1980s they redesigned the back braces and to me , it was mostly for warranty issues. Martin seldom did things for tone most changes were to resolve a warranty issue.

[tippie53]

in what way??? Martin used this lower bracing on the back from the time he started building. I think it was just traditional of the European style, Then in the 1980s they redesigned the back braces and to me , it was mostly for warranty issues. Martin seldom did things for tone most changes were to resolve a warranty issue.

[Stray Feathers]

Thanks for the history John. I did some more searching online and found this useful discussion (including contributions from John):

https://umgf.com/martin-back-braces-t166346.html

One question it raises for me is: How far do you go replicating a vintage guitar with great performance, if some of the design details might be questioned today? Bruce W.

[tippie53]

personally I still use the old flatter braces. Understand that Martins changes were seldom for tone often for warranty. In the 80's Martin didn't have the storage controls like they do now , I was just there last week. They have multiple warehouse all controlled RH. As the post referred , the change started with the M series. John Arnold posted some good points. I agree that the backs lower braces makes some subtle differences. The old pre war Martins are kind of the goal for most builders. As we all hear the arguments for Hot Hide glue , notched braces , I think in the end , the better your joinery the more efficient the transfer of energy thus the better the instrument.
I went back and read that link from 10 years ago and forgot most of that , thanks for posting.