Scalloped Bracing Question

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Would there ever be an advantage to scalloping the bracing on a guitar with standard bracing?
What I'm getting at is Martin makes an HD-28 with scalloped bracing and a D-35 without.
Would there be any advantages to having the bracing in the D-35 scalloped?
Same with some Guild models.
Would you be comprromising the intregrity of the guitar?
The sound would surely change, but would it be an improvement?

 

[sitka_spruce]

The D-28 compares to the HD-28 in the same way as the D-35 to the HD-35

The top would be lighter, espec around the edges. The advantages are: the top is easier to drive, the tone is bassier. The disadvantages: Lower headroom, tone is looser.

I know of some cases where they did infact retro scallop braces of guitars - not taking anything apart. Looked a lot like those P/W Martins and their brace treatment - looked infact more like a rodent would have found the braces the most delicious pieces of wood of the entire guitar and had a little nibble.

 

[john_kidder]

People do it all the time. Scrape 'em, sand 'em. Ask your luthier.

 

[Frosty]

is firebird around? he is having the braces reshaped on his westerly d-55.

 

[Firebird]

My Westerly D55 has been in the shop (Tippin Guitars) since late November getting a major overhaul. The braces are being scalloped which will result in a new voice for instrument. A ton of other work is also being done. I will give a full report when I get her back, which should be any time now.