Scalloped top bracing

[dreadnut]

What's the verdict on scalloped bracing? My DV52 had it; my D25 doesn't. I think the D25M sounds better.

Do all the USA Guild acoustics have scalloped bracing now?

 

[GAD]

One aspect of a guitar doesn’t guarantee better sound. That said I think scalloped bracing allows for a more delicate tone. My DV7Xs are the best sounding acoustics I’ve ever played. My F50R is louder and boomier, though, so if I need a cannon, the F50R wins. If I need a more refined tone, the DVs win.

 

[chazmo]

In New Hartford, Guild used a CNC cutting machine to make multiple, perfect copies of braces. They'd put some red spruce in the machine and cut 4 to 6 braces out of a single block of wood. They didn't have to run the machine a lot to keep up with production in New Hartford.

Back in the day when people were hand shaping braces it was a much more labor-intensive process.

Anyway, I think all the braces from New Hartford were scalloped, dread. I am not certain, though, and I'm not certain what they're doing in Oxnard. All I'm saying is that beyond the initial act of programming the CNC to cut them, there's no additional overhead to do scalloped, shaved, or straight bracing.

 

[Br1ck]

Scalloped bracing is different. Better or worse is subjective. Right now, full and lush is in vogue. It sells guitars. It is only over time that a straight braced guitar becomes appreciated. The direct clarity and punch is something many will like. Competing with other resonant guitars with en or fifteen minutes to make an impression, the scalloped bracing generally wins. No one takes a year to learn what a guitar can give. Short attention spans. Many adi topped guitars get sold before owners even realize what they will be.

 

[bobouz]

Not a feature that means anything to me regarding desirability. There are so many factors that impact the final verdict - it just boils down to assessing the guitar in-hand, one unique piece at a time.

 

[wileypickett]

Scalloped bracing is different. Better or worse is subjective. Right now, full and lush is in vogue. It sells guitars. It is only over time that a straight braced guitar becomes appreciated. The direct clarity and punch is something many will like. Competing with other resonant guitars with en or fifteen minutes to make an impression, the scalloped bracing generally wins. No one takes a year to learn what a guitar can give. Short attention spans. Many adi topped guitars get sold before owners even realize what they will be.

In my experience, you can only evaluate a guitar based on what it sounds like when you pick it up and play it. No? Who buys guitars based on what they think they MAY sound like in a year, or ten years?

I've got a number of scalloped and non-scalloped braced guitars in my collection. My subjective opionion when I first picked them up was my basis for buying or not buying, not what kind of bracing was inside, or what woods were used.

Not that I'm uninterested in those things -- on the contrary! -- but my first considerations are always, "How does it sound?"; "How does it play?"; maybe "Does it need any major work?"

Beyond that, my ears and my fingers tell me what I need to know.

 

[Heath]

In my experience, you can only evaluate a guitar based on what it sounds like when you pick it up and play it, no? Who buys guitars based on what they think they MAY sound like in a year, or ten years?

I've got a number of scalloped and non-scalloped braced guitars in my collection. My subjective opionion when I first picked them up was my basis for buying or not buying, not what kind of bracing was inside, or what woods were used.

Not that I'm uninterested in those things -- on the contrary! -- but my first considerations are always, "How does it sound?"; "How does it play?"; maybe "Does it need any major work?"

Beyond that, my ears and my fingers tell me what I need to know

I couldn’t have said it any better myself.

 

[fronobulax]

Who buys guitars based on what they think they MAY sound like in a year, or ten years?

If the discussion at LTG is an indicator there are many people who who appear to be choosing guitars based upon the potential to open up and sound better.

 

[Heath]

I would want to buy a guitar that sounds good today. If it sounds better in 10-20 years that’s a bonus. That’s not to say that we all don’t want to buy a guitar that sounds good now obviously, but I would never base my decision on the potential it might sound better in a decade.

 

[GAD]

I would want to buy a guitar that sounds good today. If it sounds better in 10-20 years that’s a bonus. That’s not to say that we all don’t want to buy a guitar that sounds good now obviously, but I would never base my decision on the potential it might sound better in a decade.

When I bought my Taylor I did so because I loved the tone. As it aged it mellowed and I liked it less. I'm sure most would like it better since it was very bright to begin with, but in this case buying what sounded perfect at the time came with a disadvantage (at least to me).

 

[plaidseason]

What's the verdict on scalloped bracing? My DV52 had it; my D25 doesn't. I think the D25M sounds better.

Do all the USA Guild acoustics have scalloped bracing now?

I might be a little frightened of an arched back dread with scalloped bracing!

The DV52 and the D25, to me, are completely different animals. If I was going to own two dreads, those would be perfect choices.

 

[SFIV1967]

In New Hartford, Guild used a CNC cutting machine to make multiple, perfect copies of braces. They'd put some red spruce in the machine and cut 4 to 6 braces out of a single block of wood. They didn't have to run the machine a lot to keep up with production in New Hartford.

"These braces are organized into a “bucket system” that is shared in the body assembly area. The builders there have all these same buckets, and when they run out of parts they simply come over here and pick up a new one. Likewise, workers can see when they should run some more parts if their buckets are getting low."
Source: https://www.themusiczoo.com/blogs/news/factory-tour-fender-custom-shop-acoustics-part-two

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

^ Yuppers! That's it, Ralf! And, Darren Wallace doing his thing!!! Great memories!

 

[Br1ck]

Plenty of people buy a guitar based on potential. I'd like to buy a 70s D 18 and send it to Bryan Kimsey for evaluation. But there are no guaranties. Frank Ford told me you should buy a guitar for what it is now, not what it could be. I've had one adi top instrument. Liked it new, liked it better three years later. That doesn't mean a whole lot for the likelyhood of that happening to the next one. Collings Adi topped mandolins sound very tight to me (adi topped} and at 72, I'm reluctant to spend three or so years breaking it in for someone else. Not at $5500 minimum.

 

[Heath]

Plenty of people buy a guitar based on potential. I'd like to buy a 70s D 18 and send it to Bryan Kimsey for evaluation. But there are no guaranties.

But wouldn’t a 40-50 year old D18 be less of a question of “potential” and more “what does it sound like now”?

I would imagine changing the type of strings on a guitar of that age could just as much of an effect on tone than just 40-50 vs 50-60 years of age.

 

[Guildedagain]

Is there any way to unscallop braces to see if it sounds better?

 

[Heath]

Is there any way to unscallop braces to see if it sounds better?

I would imagine you’d need to change the braces outright, which would result in yet more variance.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Is there any way to unscallop braces to see if it sounds better?

LOL

 

[Guildedagain]

Too many variables.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

"Before I drop $469 for this guitar, I want to hear it with a brand new set of strings! Okay, now I want to hear it without the scalloped bracing. Okay, now I want to hear that same guitar with a Cedar top...

...I think it would sound better with Brazilian back and sides.

It's got to have Waverly tuners!

I'll offer you $289.53 for it. I would never pay $469 for a guitar!"