Bracing Question

[William2]

I was watching videos today of Martin D-35 guitars. In the video I am sharing the presenter says that the bracing typically on a Martin is 5/16" while the bracing on the D 35 is 1/4" making the top more like an OM instrument and a great fingerpicking dreadnought. From what I've read the bracing on the d 35 is non scalloped. My question then is what is more important to affecting the top, scalloping the braces or the size of the braces. I do find the different things Martin does with their bracing fascinating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RJo_RQNtm8

[teh]

This lengthy post may shed some additional light on Martin bracing plus it gives me something to do as I watch the Cleveland Browns lose their home opener.

My three Martins are all based on the 35 series specs. In the mid 60s when Brazilian Rosewood was becoming scarce, Martin employee and their computer guy Bob Johnson suggested they experiment with a 3 piece back to utilize smaller pieces of rosewood that couldn't be used for a two piece back on the D28/D21 models. When they were building prototypes, they experimented with 1/4" inch bracing which worked better with the three piece back. For a few years in the 70s, the D35 outsold both the D28 and D18 models. The D35 included the three piece back, 1/4" top bracing and neck binding.

My 1976 D35 has 1/4" non-scalloped bracing and the old "C" style, 1 & 11/16th inch neck that was built before CNC machines were used. It also has a shaded top, non adjustable truss rod and I have it set up for light gauge strings. When I bought this guitar, it beat out a D35S (A 12 Fret, Slope Shouldered Dread) and a new re-introduced model, the HD28. This guitar has a responsive, pronounced bass which is a turnoff for some players. If I was a serious flat picker or playing in a band, I would have a D28 or D18. About 20 years ago, I took this guitar to an authorized repair shop to replace a curling pick guard, repair a hairline top crack and reglue binding on the neck and lower bout. All fully covered under warranty with zero hassles from Martin. No other issues, ever, with any of my other Martin and Larrivee guitars.

From 2003 to 2006, Martin offered an OM35 model that had the same 1/4" top bracing but it had  scalloped instead of straight bracing. My dealer snagged one of the last OM35s to come of the line for me and it had a sunburst top to compliment my D35. This guitar had a low profile, 1 & 3/4" wide neck. The OM has a balanced tone across the bass, mids and trebles and is ideally suited for finger style and open tunings.

In 2015, I ordered a 000 short scale 12 fret guitar from the Custom Shop as a 60th birthday present to myself. This guitar also has a low profile, 1 & 3/4" neck with a slotted headstock, scalloped bracing and a combination of 18 and 35 series appointments. This guitar and my 12 fret Larrivee LSV03 Forum VI (25.5 inch scale and scalloped bracing) both get their fair share of playing time.

I also have one of the original and smaller, Martin steel string Backpacker Guitars from the early 90s which had a factory installed passive pickup. I have this guitar set up for Nashville Tuning which it is ideally suited for.

If I was going to buy another Martin, I would consider a used 016NY or 0021 if I could find the right one at a reasonable price. On the Larrivee front, I'd like to try a baritone guitar but I'm waiting for the call on my 00-24 first.

[B0WIE]

They are inherently doing the same thing, adding rigidity. They do it in different ways but I cannot say a scalloped braced guitar sounds one way or a non scalloped sounds another way unless all other things are equal. Braces are used to establish certain balances and, in that scenario, there's not a best way (aside from tap tuning). It's the same reason you don't just want the top as thin as possible. You would actually end up with a muddy, dull instrument. But, some tops allow you to go really thin and others need some density. Again, some things come down to balance choices. I don't try to make those decisions when shopping. I just need to know what the maker was looking to achieve with the sound and I'll trust that they chose the right brace to get there.

[William2]

Thank you teh for all your information on the D 35 and to Mr. BOWIE for all his insights into guitar construction. I do find it interesting how Martin supplies information on bracing sizes on their various models. But as Mr. BOWIE pointed out, there are a lot of factors that go into guitar construction.

[teh]

I agree with Bowie's comments and there are many factors that go into building a guitar. That's why it makes sense for a buyer to take time to figure out what they want and to do a lot of research.

The dealer I bought my Martin OM and custom 000 from was a retired wood engineer and a luthier who built over 100 guitars. He also sold me my first Larrivee, a Maple Parlor, and he ordered my 12 string LV03 for me. Both of these guitars have non-scalloped bracing and the parlor has a 12 fret neck with a 24" scale. When I met him, he operated his workshop and store out of his basement. It was something to walk into a basement showroom filled with 20-30 Larrivees of all shapes, wood combinations and body sizes.

He also coordinated the Forum III and IV builds and his knowledge and advice helped me with all of my guitar buying decisions. When he opened his shop in town, he added Martin, Taylor, Gallagher and National Guitars so there was never a shortage of options. Since he retired and closed his shop in 2018, I've added two more Larrivees to the mix and I have a third on order.

[Myopic Squirrel]

Willaim2, teh, & Bowie,

Thank you for continuing my guitar education. Tonewoods, bracing, scale length, frets to the body - let alone string alloy compositions- all the nuances impacting the variety of sounds these devices produce - WOW! In addition to the incredible enjoyment playing after a 40+ year layoff, your posts continue expanding my appreciation for these wooden boxes & wires. Please continue! My son & nephew - both very good guitar players - love it that I've become in their words such a guitar nerd.