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I know some of you build flat and others with a radius. Intuitively to me it seems a radiused one would resist having the tongue collapse a bit better. Do those of you who use a flat one think that it's sheer size is enough to prevent problems? I'm changing the way I do a few things and I'm interested in your thoughts.
Thanks

For me it's more a question of alignment for the neck, to set string height above fretboard, The UTB's I've used are pretty beefy as I don't think they contribute to tone/sound production.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I use a radius...and a maple brace, about 5/8" X 1/2", triangular X-section and parabolic shape.

Radius or not as noted the key is to match the plane of the fretboard so you can get the action line to work with the string plane . I don't use a radius at this area . I want this area flat for a straight , flat plane for the fretboard. A radius here can infer to the fretboard and change things on the lower frets.
This is one of those areas that you have to decide for yourself what works best for you and your building techniques. If you have a lot of trouble with 14 fret hump or drop off or rise on the fretboard , you may need to rethink your technique . If thing work for you , then don't change .

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

One other thing you might want to think about is the block. Last year after reading Somogyi's book I switched to an "L"style block where part of the block extends under the fretboard at the top and butts up against the UTB. With this method I don't think there is any danger of the tongue collapsing. I use a flat UTB.

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
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House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

I mostly build with a 28' radius top and flat UTB. The string action seems to line up better that way for me. I also use a heavy UTB and heavy neckblock.