Dave, where did you post the sound clip?
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| How Different Bracing for Heavier Strings? http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=18307 |
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| Author: | Ricardo [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | How Different Bracing for Heavier Strings? |
I planned on using a 24.9 scale for slack key (open G) tuning. To compensate for the looser strings I was going to use medium strings instead of the usual medium lights. What changes in bracing are required to handle the heavier strings? Will this compromise sound? |
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| Author: | Dave White [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Different Bracing for Heavier Strings? |
Rich, The heavier gauge strings will by and large compensate for the lower tuning (and shorter scale length although you don't say if 24.9" is your standard scale in standard tuning). In my view you don't really need changes in bracing to "compensate" for this. It's only the first, fifth and sixth strings that are tuned down anyway in Open G. A set of 12-53's on a 25.4" scale length guitar in standard tuning have a total tension of 163.4lb compared with 162.4lb for a 13-56 set in Open G on a 24.9" scale guitar. On my 24.7" scale length ladder braced concert guitar I often play in Open G and DADGAD with a set of 12-53's with no issues on tone, volume or intonation. |
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| Author: | Ricardo [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:41 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Different Bracing for Heavier Strings? |
Dave, I misspoke the tuning is taropatch DGDGBD. Thanks for the info. I've been having angst about building a short scale guitar for slack key because there is an active topic discussing longer scales for alternative tunings. I would want the guitar to be able to handle the heavier strings in standard tuning as well. My Taylor 414 requires light gauge (12-52). I don't want to overbuild the top so that it stifles the sound. |
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| Author: | Dave White [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Different Bracing for Heavier Strings? |
DGDGBD is Open G as well as taropach so you spoke well. As I said in that other thread, I've made longer scale length guitars to play in open tunings - 25.75" scale length as well as a 24.7-26" fan fret - but I've also played them on shorter scale instruments where they suprised me and work just as well. A lot will depend on your playing style. If it were me I'd build it for 12-53's and would also buy in some 13 and 17 singles to put on the top two strings if I was going to be in taropatch for a long period of time - if not you can make it easily playable with the 12-53's in taropatch with some small adjustments to your playing style. |
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| Author: | Ricardo [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Different Bracing for Heavier Strings? |
Dave, where did you post the sound clip?
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| Author: | John Hale [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Different Bracing for Heavier Strings? |
I play 14-58's in standard tuning on ordinary guitars and I only adjust the truss rod to compensate should I alter my bracing in my current build to allow for that? John |
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