a question about bracing

[lw216316]

I borrowed a picture of bracing taken at the Gibson Heritage factory by QueeQueg.

The bracing stip along the sides of the guitar has lots of little
'cuts' 'slices' 'indentions' - not being a wood worker I don't know what to call them
I'm guessing maybe it provides flexibility for the wood strip when installing and maybe is a way to reduce weight. I don't know.

I have a Pavan classical guitar.
That bracing strip in it does NOT have the 'cuts' in it. It is a 'smooth' strip of wood.

I'm wondering why the Pavan does NOT have the 'cuts'  - any ideas ?
(and why most other guitars I've seen DO have those 'cuts')

- Larry

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[BenF]

I assume you mean the kerfling, which is for attaching the top and back to the sides, rather than as a brace.

[lw216316]

I assume you mean the kerfling, which is for attaching the top and back to the sides, rather than as a brace.

YES,  KERFLING,  - I've learned a new word today - and my education in guitar construction continues, thanks Ben !

Now that I know what its called, I found some info at Stew- Mac
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bodies,_necks,_wood/Acoustic_guitar:_Kerfed_lining_strips/Kerfed_Guitar_Linings.html

I suspect my Pavan has what Stew-Mac calls - REVERSE kerfling ! ....so the cuts are probably there and I'm not able to see them because the smooth side faces out. 

Stew Mac says,

The reverse style can add more stiffness to the sides, and a smoother appearance inside the body.

So with your help, Ben, I'm beginning to understand -   still don't know why the 'cuts' are used, why not just a plain strip of wood ?

- Larry

[BenF]

I understand (please correct me if I am wrong) that kerfling is made, or can be purchased ready made in strips, and then glued to the sides (as the cuts make it flexible), thus providing a good surface area for glueing the top and back.  This means the same standard kerfling can fit a dreadnaught or a parlor. 

[Denis]

The cuts are there to make the piece easier to bend I think?

[unclrob]

Ben-yes
Denis-yes

[GA-ME]

Its actually kerfing, not kerfling. The cut itself is called a kerf. The process is referred to as kerfing. Larry if you look closely at the Pavin it is probably a reverse kerf. The kerfs allow the wood to be formed around the curves. If you didn't kerf, you'd have to hand bend to match the body as with binding.

You can veiw standard and revers kerfing here: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bodies,_necks,_wood/Acoustic_guitar:_Kerfed_lining_strips/1/Kerfed_Guitar_Linings/Pictures.html#details

Edit: Woops, I missed your post above Larry where you found the Stew Mac page! As I said above, if you dont kerf you'd have to hand bend the wood to conform to the curvature of the body.

[BenF]

if you dont kerf you'd have to hand bend the wood to conform to the curvature of the body.

Incredibly accurately to ensure a consistant strength along the join I would assume, whereas with kerfing this problem is solved

[lw216316]

ts actually kerfing, not kerfling.    [  /quote]

thanks ga-me -
not only have I learned a new word today and what it means - I've learned how to spell it correctly 

If I hang around you guys long enough
I'll eventually learn enough about guitars to ask intelligent questions and engage in meaningful discussions about them 



- Larry

[tadol]

The kerfing is the easiest way to make large quantities of this material, and the easiest way to install it. It could be steam bent or laminated, but the effort and cost would not be worth it. You will occasionally see guitars with glued laminations, where the strips are glued together and clamped to the bent side to make it fit just perfect, but they then have to be removed, cleaned up, and shaped before they can be glued onto the sides. Lotta work -

Tad

[lw216316]

I thought my Pavan might have REVERSE kerfing - with the visible outside smooth and the kerfed side glued
but if that were so -  then I would expect to see part of the kerfs visible on the sides of the wood band.

Here is a close up of the kerfing -  I don't see any evidence of kerf marks on the side of the band.

Stew mac says the reverse kerf makes the bond with the sides of the guitar stronger...
Kerfed strips are easier to work with and perhaps cheaper in labor cost -

Maybe my Pavan did not use any kerfs - and that makes it even stronger - 
or
maybe it is reversed kerfed and the sides were filled in so they don't show 

I'm going to continue this specific question in a new post -

- Larry

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[ducktrapper]

Kerfling is something Canadians do that includes lots of beer and ice. 

[lw216316]

Do you know what happens when a Canadian DUCK flies upside down ?
He quacks up.

I think DUCK has quacked up 

[ducktrapper]

Do you know what happens when a Canadian DUCK flies upside down ?
He quacks up.

I think DUCK has quacked up 

I am not a duck, I am a ducktrapper. Can't fly but I do know a little about the ancient sports. 

[lw216316]

I am not a duck, I am a ducktrapper

sorry, my bad,....Duck was my nick name I've been using for a buddy going by the handle - ducktrapper...

but, don't want to loose a buddy , so I'll rephrase the question 

Do you know what happens when a Canadian ducktrapper catches a duck and takes him on board his single engine bush plane and he flies upside down with the duck on board ?   ....the duck quacks up... 

time for this post to die, and the new one with the correct title of Kerfed to be used, now that I know its not 'bracing' as I used in this topic's title

- Larry

[lw216316]

announcement to all passengers on board this flight

  we have been hi-jacked

reports are it has something to do with Canadians, beer and ice