'80 F-40 Side Braces?

[Punkybub]

I happened to notice the other day that this guitar (1980 F-40) doesn't have any side braces...

I was wondering if anyone knows whether these were made without side braces, or did some rogue experimental-type come in and swipe all the ones out of this guitar? It's strange - there looks to be some dark stains inside, right around where I'd imagine the braces should be - doesn't look like glue residue, just dark stains. Maybe someone at the factory forgot to put them in?

It's an arched-back guitar w/no back braces either. Sounds great, very stable w/no distortion or pulling evident, and seems to be very solid. Just those missing braces...

Maybe Guild's version of an Ovation in wood...?

TIA for any thoughts...

 

[hansmoust]

I happened to notice the other day that this guitar (1980 F-40) doesn't have any side braces...

I was wondering if anyone knows whether these were made without side braces, or did some rogue experimental-type come in and swipe all the ones out of this guitar? It's strange - there looks to be some dark stains inside, right around where I'd imagine the braces should be - doesn't look like glue residue, just dark stains. Maybe someone at the factory forgot to put them in?

It's an arched-back guitar w/no back braces either. Sounds great, very stable w/no distortion or pulling evident, and seems to be very solid. Just those missing braces...

Hey Punkybub,

It's very well possible that this F-40 has laminated sides. You might be able to check this by looking at the grain in the end-pin hole. It might be hard to see though, because of the light colored wood.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[GardMan]

My '81 D-46 doesn't have any "braces" along the sides, either. All my other dreads do... appear to be rosewood strips in my D-55 and what appears to be muslin/canvas (or some other cloth) strips at intervals along the sides in all my other dreads.

 

[plaidseason]

My F44 has wood side strips. But in examining my DV4, I was surprised to learn that it did not have any side strips.

Note that side strips don't really serve any tonal purpose, rather they're really just there to prevent a side crack from growing.

-Chris

 

[plaidseason]

Here's a discussion form the AG forum regarding side strips:

http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ul ... 003931;p=1

 

[Punkybub]

It's very well possible that this F-40 has laminated sides. You might be able to check this by looking at the grain in the end-pin hole. It might be hard to see though, because of the light colored wood.

Hans,
The back is arched (laminated...?) and looking at the end pin hole it looks like the sides are too. So if they're laminated, no side braces (strips, etc.) are needed? It's a bit heavier than some similar sized Guild acoustics and feels very stable somehow because of it.

My F44 has wood side strips. But in examining my DV4, I was surprised to learn that it did not have any side strips.

Hey Chris -

Do you know if your DV4 has laminated sides? I guess that's the difference - laminated are stronger and don't need the support. Thanks for the link to the discussion too - excellent information.

So I guess I'll tear up the "Missing Side Braces" police report I was planning on filing....mystery solved!

 

[Punkybub]

My '81 D-46 doesn't have any "braces" along the sides, either. All my other dreads do... appear to be rosewood strips in my D-55 and what appears to be muslin/canvas (or some other cloth) strips at intervals along the sides in all my other dreads.

Maybe your D46 (that's the ash-bodied dread, right?) has laminated sides? Or maybe the ash sides are strong enough without strips or lamination... I know some of the best Telecasters are made from ash, and you can swing those in a bar fight without them even going out of tune...

 

[plaidseason]

I think whether or not a guitar has side braces or not depends on the manufacturer and model. A lot of Martins merely have the cloth strips. With Guilds I'm sure it depends upon where the guitar sits in the line.

THe DV4 has solid sides.

As an aside, the F30r-ls I formerly owned had some of the most ornately carved side strips I've ever seen - narrow and scalloped and very nice.