Tone Bars

[Diane Kauffmds]

I ran across this photo of a 1937 Martin 00, which shows only one lateral tone brace, as opposed to two. I've also seen bracing patterns with only one bottom tone bar as opposed to two.

What difference would these modifications make in the sound?

prewar 1937 Martin2.jpg

[tippie53]

Have have seen the 0 with 1 tone bar and 1 finger brace and 2 tone bars and finger braces. The finger braces are more of an anti split brace . Still less material less weight. What it does for tone is not much . It does sound like a good experiment.

[johnnparchem]

I braced my 00 just like my 0 guitars and use one tone bar, and one finger brace bar on each side. I liked the way it sounded when I was finished.

[Diane Kauffmds]

I braced my 00 just like my 0 guitars and use one tone bar, and one finger brace bar on each side. I liked the way it sounded when I was finished.

What difference did you hear John?

[Diane Kauffmds]

Have have seen the 0 with 1 tone bar and 1 finger brace and 2 tone bars and finger braces. The finger braces are more of an anti split brace . Still less material less weight. What it does for tone is not much . It does sound like a good experiment.

I've not seen the 0 with one tone bar, but I've seen the other combinations. I'm inclined to put at least one finger brace on it though.

[tippie53]

I think the tone bar makes more impact than the finger braces. I felt the bass was more and a touch more volume on a 1 tone bar. You do have to look closer to the position of the brace.

[johnnparchem]

I found the single tone bar allows the guitar to have a bit more bass response. Removing one tone bar allowed for a lighter top. On the one tone bar pattern I start the tone bar as the end of the bridge plate but angle it to cover more of the lower bout than the top bar of a two tone bar pattern.

I measured the resonance of a two tone bare top and a one tone bare top and they were nearly identical. The top resonance follows the long-wise stiffness and mass. I did not weigh the two tops so I am not sure how I they ended up the same.

My normal 0 pattern



Same on a 00

[Diane Kauffmds]

I found the single tone bar allows the guitar to have a bit more bass response. Removing one tone bar allowed for a lighter top. On the one tone bar pattern I start the tone bar as the end of the bridge plate but angle it to cover more of the lower bout than the top bar of a two tone bar pattern.

I measured the resonance of a two tone bare top and a one tone bare top and they were nearly identical. The top resonance follows the long-wise stiffness and mass. I did not weigh the two tops so I am not sure how I they ended up the same.

My normal 0 pattern



Same on a 00

Thanks John. That clarifies it a lot. I thought it would allow more bass response, but I wanted to make sure. The photos help loads.