Seam reinforcement?

[hummingbird]

On the back of a guitar there is always a reinforcement strip to support the joint of the two back pieces. Fine. But why is there no reinforcement strip on the top seam. I've thought about it and can't think of any reason why it's necessary on the back and not on the top.

[tippie53]

there is more reinforcment on the top than you may realize. the rosette is a support , the fretboard extension , bridge and plate and all the braces help.

[pete nardo]

actually, they aren't always on the back. I own 2 Breedloves, including a 12-string, and neither one has back seam reinforcement strips.
If the glued joint is stronger than the wood itself, why are these strips necessary at all? tradition?
Regards.

[kencierp]

Some makers do put small diamond shaped reinforments on the sound-board between the bracing. Many guitars, actually most high end guitars have a decorative strip in the joint --- those strips are very fragile -- thus the need for the cross grain reinforcement. The seam reinforcement is cheap/easy insurance why skimp?

[kencierp]

Oh yeah -- which Breedlove models? Many models and all the Atlas series have laminated bodies.

[tippie53]

Martin , on solid wood bodies without a perfling strip will often forgo the reinforcement .

[pete nardo]

ah, maybe that's why...my Breedloves (SC-10 and SJ-25-12) don't have purfling strips down their backs.

they're all solid wood though; the SC-10 has madagascar b&s, and the SJ 12 string is walnut (w/cedar top). I bought them about 10 yrs ago, b/f the Atlas series was introduced.

Regards.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

I have not yet, but am going to start adding 3 little seam patches to the top lower bout on my next guitars. I can't imagine it is going to affect tone to anyone's ear, and it will add a bit of shock protection. The glue may be strong, but that is still a pretty fragile joint.
As far as the back goes, I figure the strip looks nice enough, and again is some added insurance. I will continue to put one in, decorative center (which I tend to rather leave out) strip or not.

Kevin