Any comments...

[Tim Benware]

...on these?

[Dave Bagwill]

Supposedly the luthier got the brainstorm from observing the trusses on the golden gate bridge, and talked to an engineer about the structural advantages; then decided that the removal of wood via the holes made for a lighter but still stiff bracing system.

I have no idea whether it's a good building strategy or not; I know it's a good marketing tool, and that is what most innovations seem (to me) to be.

[ken cierp]

OK you asked -- ha ---- simply tapering the braces from the base (glued edge) to the top and making them thinner would result in a weight reduction more significant then the holes and most likely a stronger structure. I've been on the GG Bridge and I don't recall anything like that?

[Kevin in California]

What ever works!

Kevin

[Dave Bagwill]

Well, hell it was some bridge anyway. :-) I think it was posted Kevin Ryan's site.

I'm with ya on the 'whatever works' thing except when it is just the marketing that works without any real increase in - something - tone or volume or response or whatever the heck - things hard to measure I think...would not want to pay more just because some guy has a theory that it should be better, dig?


Yes it was Ryan - as he says: "The great challenge of designing bracing for a steel-string soundboard is to make the bracing light and supple enough to create beautiful, shimmering tone while being muscular enough to withstand years of 180 lbs. of string torque. EO Bracing (Engineered Openings) is my innovation to achieve this tightrope walk between structural integrity and sparkling tone. "


edited by deadedith

I agree he is a good craftsman

[ken cierp]

Kevin's an outstanding craftsperson -- for me, very disappointing to hear that he's making such "unprovable claims" sparkling according to who as compared to what???

Want some sparkling tones, stick a K&K on your guitar and run it through a Standel amp!

[TonyinNYC]

Have those braces been blessed? Because they look holy.