Underside bridge surface

[Herman]

This time I made a top with almost a dead flat surface. For a perfect fit the bridgeunderside should be flat. But I expect some doming of the top in the future. Would you give the bridge a bit of curve or not?

Herman

[ken cierp]

Martin guitars are virtually flat (52' brace contour) and the best Taylor's $$$ are "0" and 65' contour. But the string tension does in fact create a sound board dome. To the question, with your situation, the sandwich of the bridge plate/sound-board/bridge should be laminated "flat" this will result in the "best" glue joints.

[Herman]

Thanks!

[Dave Bagwill]

Ken, do those flattop Taylors dome over time? What of the theory that a little bit of dome needs to be built-in to put the top under enough stress to be really lively?
Bob Taylor knows what he is doing, so I'm guessing that flat works. Are any precautions taken, or extra bracing done, to keep it flat over time?

edit: I just read the explanation directly from the R. Taylor website. Very interesting that he states the difference between a flat and a 65' radius is distinctive! The control they have over their process and materials must be fantastic, in order to exploit that very very small difference in doming.

[ken cierp]

Taylor tops dome the second (even sooner) the strings are up to tension. Over time the brace pattern/top thickness formula is fairly predictable. Taylor has the added benefit of the their high tech adjustable neck to assure proper action. Interestingly just the tiny "stressed/built in" dome of 65' is supposed to enhance the treble frequencies.

[Dave Bagwill]

(Looks like I posted my edit at the same moment you posted.)

[Dave Bagwill]

If I'm calculating correctly (http://liutaiomottola.com/formulae/sag.htm) the sagitta of the arc at 65' radius and (1/2)16" lower bout width = .041".

Four one-hundredths of an inch. And THAT makes a discernible difference? The value at a 40' radius is .067".

I'm a little sceptical of Taylor's claim.