Ladder-braced parlor guitar

[Dave Bagwill]

After a 2 hour gig with my dentist this morning, I had a little time this p.m. to measure out the a-frame and use some go-bars for the first time. One of my students wanted to see how they are used. I expect that the cat will wander into the shop tonight and get impaled.

[Dave Bagwill]

Got a few things done today, it is starting to take shape. I'll be gluing on the top and maybe the back tomorrow.
The large spruce piece between the two lower braces is inset with a piece of maple that will serve as the bridge plate.
There is also a layer of spruce around the soundhole to help bolster that area.
I strayed from the plans by making the braces quite a bit lighter; I did scallop them per the plans, but tapped and shaved the same as I would an x-brace. The top has a nice ring to it, and is very light, but the ladder-braced vibe is definitely different than the X.

[John Link]

Great work, Dave.

Is the bridge placed between the two main lower bout braces for a special reason? I noticed it was much closer to one of the braces on the plan you posted.

[Dave Bagwill]

When I was researching ladder braces, I saw bridges in all sorts of positions.
One of the sweetest sounding ladders I heard was made by John How, and looking at his layout, the bridge...well see the pic below.
I'm sure the placement is important, but I have not found anything definitive. The plans I got from Collins shows the bridge placed more or less between the lower braces.

[Dave Bagwill]

Here is some Bach on a ladder-braced guitar by John How. Thanks John Link for the...link. :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53dT-1ZlBVg

And same guitar but bluesy
http://youtu.be/0GZyh2VkIOM

[John Parchem]

Looking good.

I would have thought the bridge would be placed relative to the nut and the scale so that the guitar would have the correct intonation. When moving the bridge are you planning on changing the neck and fret board to match the bridge placement?

[ken cierp]

Yeah -- for the newies --- the conversation here is a little backwards, as John mentioned where the bridge/saddle is place is totally a math function of the scale length and this requires accuracy --- on the other hand, where braces are placed is simply the makers design choice as how he/she thinks it may affect structure and resonance.