Weissenborn bridge plate thickness???

[kathymatsushita]

I'm following (somewhat) the Stew-Mac plans for a Weissenborn. The plan says that the bridge plate should be 0.25" thick, and the center seam strip right above the bridge plate is to be 0.25" thick, also.
From looking at various posts in different forums, it doesn't look as if others' bridge plates are that thick. Should it be that thick, or should it be 1/8" thick or 3/32" thick instead? My Tasmanian blackwood top has been thicknessed to about 0.11" thick.

[Bob Connor]

Hi Kathy

I've used the Stewmac plans and I think you'll end up with a massively overbuilt instrument if you follow them to the letter.

I use much the same specs as I would for building a 6 string dreadnaught ie 8mm x 13mm x-brace and the bridge plate at about 2.5mm or a little under.

I would also pay attention to that area where the fingerboard meets the soundhole. I've been beefing that up with some carbon fibre on the bracing in that area. If you look at the pics below I am now glueing CF to the arms of the A-brace. The pic below was one of my earlier Weissys but I think the A-brace adds SO much more support for an instrument that will have a really high action.

The other thing I changed was how the neck strengtheners attach to the headstock. I rebate the headstock so the neck strengtheners glue to the headstock, not just butt against it. I've attached a pic below.

I also use a soundhole doubling patch which really strengthens up that area around the soundhole and bridge

As you can see from below my bracing is nothing like the Stewmac plans but it may give you a few ideas.

Regards

[kathymatsushita]

Hi Kathy
I use much the same specs as I would for building a 6 string dreadnaught ie 8mm x 13mm x-brace and the bridge plate at about 2.5mm or a little under.

That's pretty much what I've decided to do for the x-brace (5/16" x 5/8") and the bridge plate.

I would also pay attention to that area where the fingerboard meets the soundhole. I've been beefing that up with some carbon fibre on the bracing in that area. If you look at the pics below I am now glueing CF to the arms of the A-brace. The pic below was one of my earlier Weissys but I think the A-brace adds SO much more support for an instrument that will have a really high action.

In the pics, I don't see the carbon fiber....am I missing something???

The other thing I changed was how the neck strengtheners attach to the headstock. I rebate the headstock so the neck strengtheners glue to the headstock, not just butt against it. I've attached a pic below.

What are "neck strengtheners"? I've seen people mention them in some forum threads, but my plans don't have that --- they just have kerfed linings all the way around. Are they just some veneer glued to the neck area somewhere?

Thanks for all the ideas, Bob....I appreciate it. I'm pretty much doing a lot of guessing on this project....

[Bob Connor]

Hi Kathy

Unfortunately I don't have any pics of the carbon fibre but I have recently started adding 1/2" x 1/8" carbon fibre strips to the legs of the A brace which is situated under the end of the fingerboard. I use epoxy to attach it.

I have seen a couple of Hawaiian lap steels where the sides have warped inward after they have been built so I would suggest including those neck strengtheners.

I also have another set of plans which include the strips if you would like a copy. They are in .pdf format so I can email them.

Regards