X-bracing layout

[emthen]

Hi

I have attached a picture with four options of the x-bracing for an OM with scale length 25.5 "and bridge located about right.

Trevor, is there any angle that you would recommend more than any other for this type of guitar? And if so, why?

X-brace

Thanks

[Trevor Gore]

An OM guitar is typically used for fingerpicking styles, for which I'd use falcate bracing; the reason being I get a much more responsive guitar if I do it that way.

Regarding your varying angles, the lower angles will give more long grain stiffness and the higher angles more cross grain stiffness. What is "better" depends on your preferences and all the other variables in the mix, like top stiffness (long and cross), how you shape the braces, how stiff you make the bridge and what you do with the other braces. So there are no answers to your question which are not heavily qualified and/or make a heap of assumptions.

One of the mods (Martin? Kim?) might move this to the main forum where you'll likely get more discussion.

[Kim]

There ya go Trev, sorry for drag'in the chain

Cheers

Kim

[simso]

On top replacements if Im given free liberty I like to move the x brace back a bit as well and I go high angles even 100 degrees. I think by your drawing you need to move them back to stiffen the top area up a bit

Where they are will give a good tone / sound / volume / but it will leave the top weaker and more susceptable to warpage behind the bridge IMO

[Paul B]

What is the top made of? How stiff is it? Impossible to answer this question without holding the top in my hands, and then it's only my opinion. Same for all of us.