botched "kit" repair

[warren47]

I have purchased a completed guitar less back. It is attributed to a guitar maker turned banjo maker in Mich. I bought it because of the extent of challenges.
Top is said to be Douglas fir. Sides possibly cherry. Bracing is of unknown design. I am attaching pictures along with discussion of plans.
The top measures 0.130 inside the sound hole (less the reinforcement). With the stiffness of Douglas fir that should be much thinner.

[warren47]

the bracing speaks for itself in the attachments

[warren47]

As I mentioned earlier, the sides are said to be cherry. I'm of the opinion they are cypress. Any opinions?

[warren47]

The guitar was, in theory, completed and the back damaged. Looking at the whole picture, the tuning machines have never been screwed to the head. There is no glue on the linings, none. There is some minor wear on the fretboard. Used possibly. My original plan was to slap a back on it and see how it sounds. Now that I know the thickness of the top I am tempted to remove it, remove the braces and bring the thickness down to 0.070 - 0.080, and then put it back together. I have done re-tops but I'm intrigued by the bracing. So, any opinions? (note I do not have a fireplace)

[phavriluk]

I'm sure it would be welcome at the next campfire singalong....

[MaineGeezer]

That bracing is “interesting.” Having experimented a bit with alternative bracing schemes, I'd be tempted to put it together and see how it sounds. My gut feel though makes me a bit dubious. Just guessing, I'd say there isn't enough stiffness around around the bridge to keep it from torquing over time. I also wonder why the builder put so much bracing at the sound hole.
That's not based on much of anything except what I learned from building 6 guitars, which wasn't a lot.

Looking at the double X bracing again....that might be sufficient. IS there a bridge plate?

[Stray Feathers]

I know very little about classical guitars but that's what it looks like to me. With the unusual suspended braces, I wonder if the thick top you mentioned is actually a double top? Bruce W.

[warren47]

I think I have found the origin of the "lattice" bracing. It looks very much like bracing shown by 56nortondomy on another site. His bracing part of a hybrid X bracing scheme. The four bars are almost exactly as show by 56nortondomy. Issue is it is missing the x bracing which would re-enforce the top. My current thought, although the campfire seems attractive, is to remove the top, Take it down to a reasonable thickness and go traditional fan bracing. Tapping on the top brings a pleasant ring but much too high in pitch. Top is not a double top. The grain of the top is quite clear in the area around the sound hole.

[phavriluk]

Guest of honor at the campfire. I think OP's time has more productive uses.

[phavriluk]

Guest of honor at the campfire (or burn barrel).