Official Luthiers Forum!

I have not been tucking my lower x-brace legs... Do you?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I do because that's how I learned it. In theory it will help lock the brace in place and prevent it from coming loose in the event of a bump or such a thing. In practice however I don't think it matters and you may have a more free vibrating plate the way you do it but I'll leave that up to the experts to discuss.

I used to but the last couple I've not tucked them.
Haven't made enough to tell what difference it makes, and I'd have to do parallel builds to test, and even then probably several of them.

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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.

As repair and sometimes builder I have always been a little conflicted about this.
when I build, I tuck because it makes me feel more secure.
when I repair loose or broken braces I often wish they were un-tucked to ease the repair.
Some have pointed out how frequently they see loose un-tucked braces (old Gibson back braces for example) but this is at least somewhat offset by the ease of repair.
Especially if Hide glue was used.
If not tucking, the brace ends tapered not too thick, not too thin, and glued well becomes more important.
Just my 2 pennies.

Most modern designs call for the lower bout to be more of a drum skin or diaphragm. Taylor even routes a channel all around the perimeter of the lower bout - I personally agree with this trend. Seems we are looking for the sound board to be very responsive, so there is a balance between structural integrity and freedom of movement.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I don't.

I don't either.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Never have, likely never will. I do tuck the upper X's and UTB though.

I do tuck the only braces on the top that I tuck are the structural braces the X and transverse.

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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

I cut my lower X-brace legs off and throw them away....



Some great posts above with David's and Ken's being excellent in my view.

I don't tuck either and also being a repair guy my life is easier when they are not tucked but not by much. I'm also after a freer top and not only don't tuck but I also thin the edges as Ken mentioned.

Now here is some more food for thought. If I know where the instrument will end up, who is the client, I might consider tucking if it looks like the thing will be subject to abuse. A hard knock of the lower bout can free a brace unexpectedly but when tucked this is theoretically perhaps a bit less likely but still happens.

OTOH if I know that the instrument will be played by the sort who is less likely to leave it on the sofa in a crowded dorm room during a beer drinking contest... I won't tuck.

In my experience I have seen both come loose but not without being well provoked. I also agree that what is perhaps more important is that the brace is well clamped and glued, glue protocols are observed for the glue of choice, etc.

I do tuck the uppers and of course the UTB too.

Here you can see how far back the brace end are from the linings on the R Taylor models (I know, I know -- factory guitars but I think they sound very nice)
http://www.rtaylorguitars.com/Woods-Bracing-03.aspx

Hey, a side bar -- note to those worried about a poor "X" intersection joint -- look close.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Ken I spell it "f*ctory" guitars since "cussing" is not permitted on the OLF...

BTW I'm a Taylor fan too.

And a badly fitted bridge plate to boot!

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http://www.bobmatthewsguitars.co.uk