14-Fret 000 24.9 Scale

[RnB]

I've resumed working on this 000 as I have another IRW rimset that's been stored along w/ a back that Tippie matched for me. I have an EC 1 3/4" Mahogany V-neck for it. I'd like it to be a 14-fret Short-Scale, keeping it somewhat similar to an EC model, even though it has an M&T neck joint. I've already installed a H-bone Rosette into an Adi top I bought from John Arnold. I have the H-bone purfling for it. The brace-stock I have is also Adi.
Do you think it would be OK to go w/ 1/4" bracing & should it be scalloped or non-scalloped...?

The back is already braced & I've laid out the top bracing & would like to know if I'm golden before I make a template...? The X-mark is the measurement I took from the nut to the center of the saddle (24.9"). The 2 dots on the plate are where the 2 E-string bridge pin holes would be. I recall you (John) telling me, I only need a 1/16" of bridge plate showing behind the bridge...? I have a smaller plate, but thought I'd check w/ you. The Pyramid Bridge is one that you made for me John. It's 2 3/8" spaced. From the edge of the soundhole to the center of the X-brace is 1 1/4".

[tippie53]

the top brace layout is backwards. the tone bars come off the treble side you have them on the bass
you want the end pins at least a 1/4 in from the end of the plate to be safe. In the old 31's I have seen the front of the plate was about 1/8 in in front of the bridge and the 1 3/8 plate fell where it may.
I like a little more plate in front of the bridge than behind. I don't like to scallop 1/4 braces but you may on the tone bars.

[RnB]

the top brace layout is backwards. the tone bars come off the treble side you have them on the bass

Thank you John...
I only posted the pic like that as if you were looking at X-ray of the top. So it's reversed. I'm a lefty (but play righty). I think backwards sometimes.

I re-positioned the template & placed the smaller plate in place for clarification. The smaller bridge plate I have has slight amt more than a 1/4" of wood behind the pin holes w/ less wood above than the larger plate...

[tippie53]

if you are playing leftie you were right

[RnB]

I don't like to scallop 1/4 braces, but you may on the tone bars.

Thought I'd try something a little different & went linear w/ the lower X-brace. It's 1/2" tall at the intersection. With that & what you said, I'm inclined to scallop the 'tone bars & scoop them down to 1/4"...? The Bridge Plate is a temp. It falls short, I need to make a new one.

[Ben-Had]

Don't you want to flip those tone bars around? The peaks look switched to me.

[RnB]

Don't you want to flip those tone bars around? The peaks look switched to me.

Ben-Had ~ I have since pared the ends down to zero. Still debating whether or not to scallop the tone bars. I am trying to tap-tone the top. I'm hearing a dead spot where the tone bars are...dunno? The rest of the top has a good ring to it. A proper fitting bridge plate has secured down now w/ a nice piece of flame maple Tippie sent me long ago. The cloth patch also needs to be glued down.

[johnnparchem]

Those tone bars look tall to me. In the picture they look taller than the xbrace in the lower bout.

[RnB]

Good point John...thx! 12.5 mm & 10.5 mm at the peaks. I'm going to take them down some & scallop the bars. I hope I didn't go overboard w/ the X-brace...?

[johnnparchem]

Good point John...thx! 12.5 mm & 10.5 mm at the peaks. I'm going to take them down some & scallop the bars. I hope I didn't go overboard w/ the X-brace...?

The xbrace looks OK in the lower bout. I was taught to leave the X brace in upper bout mostly full height as it is taking a lot of the load. You might get some other opinions on the upper bout xbrace as I never had them that low so I do not know what the effect will be. I would be afraid that the guitar will slowly start folding.

With your braces by the time they are at the lower sound hole support brace they have lost about 7/8 of the strength from the starting height. The stiffness of a brace is proportional to the cube of its height. Half the height about 1/8 the strength.