GAD Top Thickness

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I have noticed that my JF-48 has extra thick wook inside the top, around the sound hole.
I can feel inside the guitar and locate where this thicker top wook stops. I can't tell if it's an extra piece of wood that has been added, or if the top is just thicher around the sound hole.
Why would it be built like this? Strength?
I would think that this extra thickness would hamper the sound.
I have never seen this in any other guitar.
Any ideas?

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

The GAD 50 is the only guitar I own that has the extra layer of wood around the inside of the soundhole, as You describe. My GAD G212 is a single thickness, as is My Guild D55. My Taylor and Washburns are also single thickness.

No doubt this double layer could steal some tone from the guitar, but it doesn't seem to hurt the loudness of My git.

 

[bluegrass jubilee]

On US Guilds

Nominal top thickness should be around .100" as measured via Hacklinger gauge or deep-throat calipers/micrometers.

The 'extra thickness' around the soundhole is what is referred to lovingly as the 'birdhouse' (due to shape) and is a thin piece of spruce that is glued to the back side of the top along with the x-braces and other sub-structure. Maybe they're thicker on GADs

No idea what the specs are for GADs

 

[sitka_spruce]

On US Guilds

Nominal top thickness should be around .100" as measured via Hacklinger gauge or deep-throat calipers/micrometers.

The 'extra thickness' around the soundhole is what is referred to lovingly as the 'birdhouse' (due to shape) and is a thin piece of spruce that is glued to the back side of the top along with the x-braces and other sub-structure. Maybe they're thicker on GADs

No idea what the specs are for GADs

This thin piece of spruce is to avoid splinters. Most guitars with solid tops have some kind of wood glued around the soundhole for this and other purposes, usually in a hexagonal shape. I doubt this will impede the top from vibrating much. Anyway it's miles away from the Gibson Mk series with the typical rw shield around the soundhole or the hefty pickguards of Gibby H-birds and Super Jumbos and others.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Thanks for all your answers.
This Forum is a wealth of knowledge, and I'm very happy that I found it.
TMG