Your opinion on this WRC top

[Dave Bagwill]

I have a WRC top ready for bracing - it taps very well, nice and ringy - but it is at .160".

Across the grain, it has just the right amount of flexibility. Longitudinally it is a bit stiff.

I don't think that further thicknessing would improve it overall - I might loosen it up a bit on the long monopole, but then the side to side flexing would be too floppy, I think.

What are your opinions? Leave it thick and brace lightly, or take it down and brace a bit thicker??

[John Parchem]

If the tap sounds really good unbraced it is too thick. I was taught to take it past the point where the tap tone rings until it is more chaotic. Then bracing will add stiffness to the top making it ring again. I would focus on the long grain stiffness and not worry as much about the cross grain. WRC cedar often shows that characteristic, more so than spruce.

[Herman]

I agree with John. As long it feels on the stiff side and it still rings, take it down a bit.
If you are not sure, leave it a tiny bit thick. Then built the box and tap the top when ready.
You can take some from the top at that stage. I always like my bodies have a certain "poiiing" when tapped on the top. FWIW
Herman

[Dave Bagwill]

Ok fellers, you've convinced me. I hate to lose the ping, but as long as it comes back....

[John Parchem]

I have taken WRC a bit below 3 mm. But you can set a limit around 3.2 mm if you are still trying to get it past the too stiff point. I never had a WRC top close to 4 mm.

[Herman]

I used two RWC tops for Jumbo's. One I took down to 3.0 mm, the other one to 2.8mm. Both are great guitars.

[Dave Bagwill]

What is your target for redwood?