Your opinion on top bracing this guitar

[John Parchem]

I can not comment on how the bracing ideas would change the sound as I do not have the experience. I would have some concern about leaving the top prone to cracks. Right where you would be cutting the opening for the buttressed braces is where you want the lateral support. The force of the strings is going to move the almost vertical A braces and your buttress is going to allow the braces to move the top up to the point where the transverse brace is glued to the top making a stress riser at that point. The design in the picture is using the transverse brace to distribute the energy from the bridge to the whole width of the sound board. I would rather have the braces as they are in the picture it is basically using the whole top as a sound board.

[Dave Bagwill]

You make some good points John. Thanks.

The picture looks kinda chunky to me. I'm going to spread the A's a bit more, and I think the lateral brace could be lighter. Some good hearty tapping should yield useful feedback.

To the point about splitting: it's my plan to put some very thin lateral finger braces - just flat little strips - to aid in crack prevention. Nothing heavy enough to limit tone or volume.

[John Parchem]

You make some good points John. Thanks.

The picture looks kinda chunky to me. I'm going to spread the A's a bit more, and I think the lateral brace could be lighter. Some good hearty tapping should yield useful feedback.

To the point about splitting: it's my plan to put some very thin lateral finger braces - just flat little strips - to aid in crack prevention. Nothing heavy enough to limit tone or volume.

To me the lateral brace looks a whole lot lighter than the transverse brace in most X braced guitars. And where it is positioned nearly the entire top will be the sound board. You are right though you can make it and see how it feels when you tap it. Always easier to take off wood than put it back on.