basic bridge making

[John Link]

Thanks Ken. Check them out I did, including one with a stunning striped top. While it is said one can't prove a negative, there was a certain part nowhere to be found in the many images of the construction of their instruments.

I found it especially interesting they do not find it necessary to form a lap joint every time one brace crosses another. That's something else I've wondered about for a long time.

[ken cierp]

And here's the Ovations also famous for pinless bridges - for sure not in the same league as Lowden

[John Link]

Thanks again Ken. I did not know Ovations had that many brace patterns.

[Dave Bagwill]

Just as an observation, I'll point out that a number of luthiers not only do no inset the patch into the braces, but on the contrary leave a mm or 2 clearance between the patch and the braces.
Also, that Taylor has at least one bracing pattern in which there is no x-joint at all; one brace is full-length, and the 'cross' brace butts up to it, at slightly different locations, so it does not resemble an x.
Interesting stuff.

(I may be wrong about the butt joints - a closer look may disclose a lap joint - but the point remains that is it not an x brace as we have thought about it.)
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1156&hilit=taylor+braces

[Ray Ussery]

"I'll be making "Luthier Stencil" based off this pattern -- seems like the common design feature in the George Lowden line, of course the fully compensated pin-less bridge has something to do with the great sound quality of these guitars."

The design of the Lowden pin-less bridge is very interesting, any plans Ken on including a basic "How to" to go with this stencil ?

[ken cierp]

Just our standard detailed stencil with info label. Lowden sells the bridge replacement for about $120 not including the saddle.

[Ray Ussery]

OK, thanks Ken.