Bracing Question- Pics inside.

[jazzmang]

Hey LTGers.

I was looking down into my D-55s and I noticed some bracing differences. FWIW, I'm not very technical with the bracing nomenclature.

My Tacoma D-55: (straight braces behind the soundhole)

My Westerly D-55: (notice you can see the braces are shaved down in a curved way in the same area)

Westerly DV-72, just for comparison: (same shape braces as the Westerly D-55, but a bit thicker)

Whats with the change?

 

[GardMan]

The braces on your Westerly D-55 and DV-72 are "scalloped." Scalloping can be used to adjust the mass/stiffness of the braces, and affects tone. I am surprised that the Tacoma braces aren't (?).

 

[cjd-player]

Bracing for the Tacoma D-55's were listed as scalloped in the product literature. But that does not mean they were scalloped in the same way as the Westerly models. The braces that you show in the photos are the two main X braces. The thickness of the braces and the depths and lenghts of the scallops can be very different. From what I have seen, the heaviest scalloping is usually on the other single braces.

 

[jcwu]

Hmmm... scallops...

 

[solenoid lopez]

Great photography!!!

 

[jazzmang]

Great photography!!!

haha thanks. I suppose if I had more time, I'd put the camera inside the guitars and take pics.

 

[chazmo]

Bracing for the Tacoma D-55's were listed as scalloped in the product literature. But that does not mean they were scalloped in the same way as the Westerly models. The braces that you show in the photos are the two main X braces. The thickness of the braces and the depths and lenghts of the scallops can be very different. From what I have seen, the heaviest scalloping is usually on the other single braces.

That is almost exactly what I was going to say, jazzy. You have to get some pictures inside.. Take a look at the bracing inside my Tacoma F-512's lower bout:

 

[solenoid lopez]

Once again superb pictures, I must have really crappy camera as there's no way I could take a picture like that. It's like looking up at the ceiling of a cathedral or something!!!

 

[jazzmang]

Tacoma D-55:

Westerly D-55:

Westerly DV-72:

 

[cjd-player]

Great pics, Jazz.

To me the Tacoma looks more lightly braced than the Westerly guitars.

The braces in the Tacoma are more neatly finished as well. No rough tear out from the cutting.

 

[kostask]

Hi,

I'm going to veer from the main topic a bit, but I'd like to ask if anybody knows why the tailblocks have an extra strip glued on to them? Is it just a strength thing, or is for some other reason? If it is just for strength (would make some sense, as it seems that the grain of the strips are at right angles to the grain of the tailblocks), why doesn't it cover the endpin hole as well? Just sort of noticed this in the all of the pictures above.

Kostas

 

[cjd-player]

Hi,

I'm going to veer from the main topic a bit, but I'd like to ask if anybody knows why the tailblocks have an extra strip glued on to them? Is it just a strength thing, or is for some other reason? If it is just for strength (would make some sense, as it seems that the grain of the strips are at right angles to the grain of the tailblocks), why doesn't it cover the endpin hole as well? Just sort of noticed this in the all of the pictures above.

Kostas

I was wondering the same thing. It's obviously not for strength because it is just a thin strip of wood. My guess is that it is for something in the tail block manufacturing process. I suspect that multiple tail blocks are glued together with the strip (one long strip) for gang processing (machining) of something on the tail blocks; perhaps the end chamfers. Then the blocks are separated before instalation into the guitars.

 

[jcwu]

Hi,

I'm going to veer from the main topic a bit, but I'd like to ask if anybody knows why the tailblocks have an extra strip glued on to them? Is it just a strength thing, or is for some other reason? If it is just for strength (would make some sense, as it seems that the grain of the strips are at right angles to the grain of the tailblocks), why doesn't it cover the endpin hole as well? Just sort of noticed this in the all of the pictures above.

Kostas

I was wondering the same thing. It's obviously not for strength because it is just a thin strip of wood. My guess is that it is for something in the tail block manufacturing process. I suspect that multiple tail blocks are glued together with the strip (one long strip) for gang processing (machining) of something on the tail blocks; perhaps the end chamfers. Then the blocks are separated before instalation into the guitars.

Actually, it *might* be for strength - I noticed it's going cross-grain. Maybe not structural strength, but just enough to prevent splits on the end block?

 

[poser]

I have similar strips all around the side of my D25.

 

[kostask]

I am told that the strips on the sides are to prevent the side wood from splitting and/or prevent side splits from propagating (getting bigger). I think that the wood strips on the sides were/are sometimes glue impregnated cloth.

I can believe the idea that the strips on the tailblock/endblock are to allow for some sort of processing in the factory, but does anybody know for sure?

Kostas

 

[hideglue]

Actually, it *might* be for strength - I noticed it's going cross-grain. Maybe not structural strength, but just enough to prevent splits on the end block?

Bingo

 

[workedinwesterly]

head and tailblocks were ripped and crosscut on a tablesaw, then a shaper for the radius.
shopmade wooden boxes filled with them...a piece of masking tape on each one with model and quantity written on it...sometimes spelled wrong.

 

[hideglue]

shopmade wooden boxes...a piece of masking tape on each one with model and quantity written on it...sometimes spelled wrong.

Not unlike this one (note correct spelling!)...

 

[workedinwesterly]

nice !

 

[jazzmang]

I also got a chance to peek inside my JF-100C and a Tacoma F-50R

Westerly JF-100C:

Tacoma F-50R:

Some interesting changes here. Sound-wise, the F-50R is significantly warmer than the JF-100. The JF always seemed a bit heavier built (which we can see reflected in the bracing), but then again the string break angle isn't where it needs to be.

I might just end up sending this thing to FMIC when I get the funds for a proper neck reset and maybe I'll have them tweak the bracing as well. My guess for cost would be $600-700, but it would be worth every penny. If I could get the JF to feel as light on its feet as the F-50R, I'd never put it down.