bridge plate too short to reach into the X bracing chamfer

[Mitch]

I've searched around this forum (great forum BTW) and others around the net and understand that it probably doesn't make a difference if the bridge plate is tucked under the X brace or not. Before learning this I followed the stew mac instructions to tuck it in by filing a chamfer in the X brace where it meets the bridge plate. I screwed up and cut the bridge plate a bit short. So now my X braces have been chamfered for the tuck, but the plate doesn't fully reach into the chamfer (short by about 1/16").

What I'm most concerned about is that I've filed away part of the X braces to accommodate the tuck, and thus the contact area between the brace and top has been reduced. If this chamfer were filled with the bridge plate, I'd be confident in the solidity of the bridge plate and bracing structure.

1) should I bother to cut another bridge plate (and make sure it fully contacts the X brace in the chamfer? Or just leave the chamfered area "empty".

2) Should I order another set of braces, and this time forget about the chamfer and tucking in the bridge plate (none of the braces have been glued yet).

Thanks,

Mitch

[Darryl Young]

You may get different opinions but I would make or buy a new bridge plate and cut it to the correct size. I won't compromise in this critical area. But that's only my opinion.

[pryde]

I did the same thing with my stewmac kit. They sent a large enough piece of maple for 2 bridge plates so I just cut another. If you have enough you might as well just cut a new one

[Mitch]

They sent a large enough piece of maple for 2 bridge plates so I just cut another.

LOL. Right, except that I cut the second one too short too!

[justrfb]

I am no expert but just on general practice, get a new blank from Stew and cut it to the correct size. I wholeheartedly agree with Darryl, don't compromise in this very critical area of the instrument. Good luck!

Sincerely,
Rich

[Mitch]

My local woodcraft has 1/8" maple. Other than having to plane it down to 0.10" thickness, would this be suitable?

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/200068 ... -x-24.aspx

Anything to look for with regards to grain?

[tippie53]

be sure it is hard maple.
The area of concern would be this.

The bridge plate originally on Martin guitars was 1 3/8 inches wide. It was tucked under the X brace and the pins were within 1/4 in of the back of the plate. If your plate will do this you should be ok but when in doubt put in the correct plate for the brace design

[Darryl Young]

Riftsawn works fine I would guess flatsawn is OK too.

[Mitch]

The bridge plate in the stew mac plans is 1 7/16. I guess they added a 1/16 for the beginners. Since the stew mac kit seems to popular with first time builder, it seems strange that they would specify in the plans and in the video to tuck the bridge plate (and other bracing) under the X braces.

I'll order enough maple stock to make a few more mistakes on this critical part.

Thanks everyone.

[Darryl Young]

Best thing you could do is find some old maple somewhere around the house. Or hit some friends up for old maple scraps. It would be cheaper and older is better in my opinion.