Scalloped bracing???

[erech]

I searched for this, but I guess im looking for of an explaination. What does the scalloped bracing on the higher end martins do? THanks.

[MWR]

To make the top of the guitar strong enough they have to brace it with strips of spruce(usually). Like so:


Scalloped bracing reduces the mass of the top by shaving down the regular braces. The reduced mass theoretically makes the top more free to vibrate.

[taylordb]

The scalloping occurs at the ends of each piece of bracing and not in the middle. A way to explain how this helps free up the top to vibrate is this:
Take a yardstick (remember those?) and hold each end with a full fist tight.....have someone tap on the middle of the yardstick and notice how it moves.
Now, hold each end with only your thumb and 2 fingers tight.....tap again and see the difference.

[erech]

interesting, thanks a lot for the insight guys

[mangold]

yep, the scalloped ness decreases weight and increases vibration. its not limited to high end guitars though.

[erech]

hahah, nice avatar, ive always wondered how dave plays outside when its sooo cold

[mangold]

hahah, nice avatar, ive always wondered how dave plays outside when its sooo cold

thanks, i change it often

[Ranting Thespian]

hahah, nice avatar, ive always wondered how dave plays outside when its sooo cold

thanks, i change it often

It's Dave during the Winter Olympics. They normaly don't play outside during the winter , who wants to play like that lol.

[mangold]

hahah, nice avatar, ive always wondered how dave plays outside when its sooo cold

thanks, i change it often

It's Dave during the Winter Olympics. They normaly don't play outside during the winter , who wants to play like that lol.

cant be good for the guitar either