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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | I've been reading the posting about bracing and how the pattern and thickness/shape of the braces can and does change the guitar's tone.... so, here's my question:
One of the main reasons for using the carbon fibre tops is the fact that carbon fibre (spelling for PT) tops are stronger and thus can be made very thin to maximize the vibrations... has anyone tried putting very thin carbon fibre braces on a wooden top? It would seem that you could have very strong, thin bracing.... and the effect on the tone would be????
tim |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | If I may double up on the question, what about other potential laminations of Fibre and wood for tops. A Wood/Fibre/Wood laminate would have some interesting characteristics and retain the looks.
Enquiring minds and all! |
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November 2002
Posts: 3611
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I fear this discussion may become a trifle esoteric, but I think the method, and materials, in the lamination would be crucial. I believe there are graphite/spruce tops on some guitars already. As to their comparative quality, and dynamics; I have no information. Ideally, you want a light, "sound transparent", and stable soundboard. Whatever gets you there is kosher, I suppose. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | There are a few luthiers, William Cumpiano being one, who use Carbon fibre braces on conventional solid wood tops. I think I read somewhere that Ovation tried carbon fibre braces on the Adamas but spruce sounded better. I may have imagined that. Bill? |
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September 2003
Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | Anyone tried a Garrison guitar? Wood top, back and sides, but all the bracing is fiberglass. Basically a connected skeleton with the wood bonded to it. Not bad sounding.
Noel |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Garrisons are OK, but they sound like they should be half of what they actually cost. The Martin DXM's are similar - $600 list, but sound like a $150 import |
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November 2002
Posts: 3611
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Amen, Paul. I was appalled at what they wanted for those POS Martins. They aren't aesthetically pleasing, either. |
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Location: Scotland | I've never found Formica aesthetically pleasing, even when it's covered with a photograph of woodgrain |
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November 2002
Posts: 3611
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Hey now, Paul, wait a minute. Check out my gallery. That was a helluva creation for a first guitar construction!! Sold it to a guy in Seattle who thought it was the best thing since sliced bread!! That formica glues up real good, too. I'd put it up against those Martins, anyday! And, as for aesthetics, well, it's a no-brainer. |
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Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | The thing I've always wondered: if the top is molded why couldn't you mold the braces as part of the top. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by BruDev:
The thing I've always wondered: if the top is molded why couldn't you mold the braces as part of the top.
If you are talking Ovation, the top isn't molded, I believe they said it's rolled. Also aren't the Carbon Fibre and Graphite tops laminated onto a wood anyway? I could be all wrong on that last part, but I remember some synthetic being laminated onto wood or a wood core.
My guess on not using Graphite braces is that you need some give in the top for it to project. IT would seem wood would flex better. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Clarification:
Wondering if a Wood/Carbon/Wood top would sound any better or be possible. this way you could still have the wood grain surface looks with a thinner top, as in Quilted Redwood Adamas top :eek:
I'm also curious which experiments were carried out back what happened.
Abstract minds on caffiene. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I'd venture to guess that it's much easier to "laminate" carbon onto a wood substrate than to try to "sandwich" carbon between two pieces of wood. Also, I'd think that to achieve the FUNCTION of a guitar top, it's best to have the material that actually FLEXES (the wood) in the center and have the the carbon applied for strength (and sound "coloration") than to have a thicker layer of stiff, brittle material sheathed in wood that'd really just add "mass" and muddy-up the sound.
. . . . . but then, whud the fuck do I know? :rolleyes: |
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January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | The Q has CF bracing |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | The Q doesn't exist in a final form yet |
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January 2003
Posts: 146
Location: Ct./ USA | LX598..........Q |
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Another Dumb Bracing Question ...
