Soundboard Advice

[turnertj]

I posted this over in the beginner's question, but it might be better here since this is not a kit build...so sorry for the second post (the moderators can feel free to move/delete either)

Afternoon All...Happy New Years!

I'm in need of some soundboard advice. I have two soundboards that I jointed and are ready for rosette/bracing, etc... I'm trying to decide which one I should use in my 12-fret build. I bought one originally for the guitar, but then was given a second, so I thought I would practice with one in case I messed it up. But they both went together well...so both are useable.

The first is a very nice Sikta Spruce, nice tight grain, but does appear to be rather humidity sensitive. It will warp a little when the humidity gets up above 50%. Nothing bad, it goes back flat with almost no pressure, and I figure that after bracing it will be fine.

The second is a Bear Claw Sikta Spruce, which has much wider grain. It appears to be very stable in terms of humidity, but it is noticeably less stiff than the first soundboard.

So...would you guys recommend the first or the second?

[tippie53]

I admit I love bear claw . I think with they make great tops.

[johnnparchem]

I think this question has no wrong answers, either should work great.

[turnertj]

I think I'm partial to the bear claw too...but do you guys think the stiffness difference is an issue? It's a totally un-scientific comparison as I do it by hand. but the plain sikta might be about 20% stiffer.

[Jim_H]

Generally speaking, stiffer is better, but that is primarily because it allows you to get the soundboard thinner, and thus lighter, and/or use lighter bracing.

The soundboard is system that includes the properties of the top, braces, bridge plate and bridge. All of them contribute significantly to the tonal properties of the guitar.

There are a lot of variables that may change depending on what you want from the final result. Are you making a banjo killer? A sensitive fingerstyle instrument? A jumbo strummer? An all around player? Or an art guitar that mostly just hangs on the wall? :p

There is really no 'correct' answer to your question. Use the one you like and try to build a top "system" that suits your needs as best you can. You will learn a lot every time you put one together.

[tippie53]

the key is to match the bracing to the top . Yes stiffer tops are better but learning to match the bracing on the top to make it do what you want is the skill you are trying to develop. If you think cross section area and then know height is the value of the stiffness you can manipulate the same amount of wood for a stiffer top.
Stiffness with the grain is more important than across the grain.

[turnertj]

Thanks guys...

I'm hoping it's going to be an all around guitar. Although if I mess it up bad enough it will become wall art! (I already have a nicely sanded rim that would qualify in that regard!)

But you're right Jim, thanks for the reality check. I already have a really nice acoustic guitar--obviously not built by me! So I'm not really expecting to beat that, just to have the sense of accomplishment in making my own. So you're right, I think I'll go with the Bear Claw and try that one out. Either way the trip will be fun.

I've said it before on the forum somewhere...this is a hard sport!

[Jim_H]

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with your final result =)

[turnertj]

If it sounds any better than when I step on the cat's tail, then you're right! I will be pleasantly surprised!

[Ken Hundley]

I think you will be surprised by the results....

When you say the top is sensitive to humidity and warps, how is it being stored? I store my assembled tops (and wood waiting to be tops) with "stickers" between....blocks of wood leaving about 3/4" of space underneath. This allows the humidty to change in the top fairly equally between the back and sides. I noticed if I left a top sitting on the bench flat against it, it would warp within hours depending on the weather. If I stickered it, and I have had a couple stickered for 4 years now, there is no change in flatness. Just a thought.