Tongue brace

[remco]

au sujet du tongue, remarques de Jim Merrill

From what I've seen, when Martin re-introduced the "tongue depressor/Popsicle" brace on Dreads, it was in 1939. The real change that happened about the same time was shifting the main X-brace away from the soundhole. Also, the number 1 top brace (directly above the soundhole) was increased in size, going from 5/16" to nearly 5/8" in thickness. This did effectively add more strength (stiffness) to the top, resulting in a modest change of tone which some pickers prefer.

Understanding that most people did not have modern central heating and air conditioning in their homes at that time and the most common strings available to them were heavy gauge, many of the old guitars of all makes suffered the cracks along one or both sides of the fretboard. Heat and humidity contributed greatly to this issue. I have repaired many through the years, some even having the top wood forced into the soundhole.

I appreciate those who bust myths and explain the truth in vintage guitar construction.

Jim

[Benoit de Bretagne]

Remco,

je me permet de déplacer votre message ds le sujet natif !

Benoit de Bretagne