Besides the obvious (support), what is the purpose of a bridge plate on a classical guitar? The classical guitar left to me by my husband's daughter, is too damaged to repair. I'm replacing the top, which had traditional 5 fan bracing. After looking through the internet, I've found that the need for a support plate is questioned, especially when the fan braces are cut to go over this plate, thereby weakening them, and plates are rarely used on a thicker top. From what I've read, most Hauser style guitars with 7 fan braces, rarely have this plate.
Does this plate help conduct bridge vibrations, thereby enhancing sound output, or is it used to strengthen the bridge area?
Bridge Plate for Classical Guitar
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Diane Kauffmds
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johnnparchem
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Re: Bridge Plate for Classical Guitar
I think it is very much as you describe, there is a difference of opinion. Hauser used bridge plates and the 1937 and 1943 plans that most follow to build a Hauser have bridge plates. Also many of the better\master builders that build in the Hauser\Torres style like Jeffery Elliott use a bridge plate. I do not think properly notched fan braces are weakened by the plate.Diane Kauffmds wrote:Besides the obvious (support), what is the purpose of a bridge plate on a classical guitar? The classical guitar left to me by my husband's daughter, is too damaged to repair. I'm replacing the top, which had traditional 5 fan bracing. After looking through the internet, I've found that the need for a support plate is questioned, especially when the fan braces are cut to go over this plate, thereby weakening them, and plates are rarely used on a thicker top. From what I've read, most Hauser style guitars with 7 fan braces, rarely have this plate.
Does this plate help conduct bridge vibrations, thereby enhancing sound output, or is it used to strengthen the bridge area?
I use a bridge plate.
I think the bridge plate is more about strengthening the area where the bridge is glued to. I do not think it maters sound wise. I use a plate on the sound board where the fret board extension is as well to help avoid cracks along the fret board.