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Walnut for Back Braces?
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=50333		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  sdsollod [ Wed Feb 21, 2018 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Walnut for Back Braces?
Is there any reason not to use quartersawn walnut for back braces? ...or kerfing for that matter?

...and what about cherry?
Author:  jfmckenna [ Wed Feb 21, 2018 10:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut for Back Braces?
I have used walnut for both back bracing and linings. I like to use spruce now but it certainly does work.
Author:  Dave m2 [ Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut for Back Braces?
Well working from first principles:

If you are aiming for a 'live' back, ie one which makes a significant contribution to the sound, then you need to keep the mass down. That means thinner than otherwise back plate, and since the spruces have the highest stiffness to weight ratio, then they will give you least mass in the bracing. If you are not aiming for a live back then it shouldn't matter.

Now linings are another matter altogether! People who know what they are talking about tell us that plenty of mass in the top to side lining is a good thing. You have got to be able to bend it though. Walnut bends OK. I've never tried Cherry so can't comment.

Cheers Dave
Author:  DannyV [ Wed Feb 21, 2018 1:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut for Back Braces?
I would think it would be fine for linings. I did use mahogany for back braces from time to time until I had a back collapse.(lost radius) I now use Spruce exclusively. FWIW
Author:  AndyB [ Wed Feb 21, 2018 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut for Back Braces?
Except, you can compensate with height for stiffness. One doesn't need mass to generate stiffness in a brace. In fact mass has little to do with it.

But that said, sure brace away. Backs have been braced with all kinds of woods. Mahogany is common. Walnut is not much different.

Andy
Author:  Mark Mc [ Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut for Back Braces?
Yep - walnut works for back braces. I can tell you this because I have done it once. What more evidence could you need?
Author:  Haans [ Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut for Back Braces?
As many of you know, I am an advocate of not only a high radius (10') but laminated back braces of spruce and BRW or Wenge. The BRW is rather thin, and the spruce laminations are there largely to add gluing area to the brace.
My backs were generally around .090" in the center and tapered through the bouts, more at the edges after the box is complete. The braced backs are VERY lively and I have used this laminated back brace system on nearly EVERY guitar I have built since.
It's quite possible that there is a connection between the laminated bracing and the back (or top), that spruce alone does not have, but then, I don't speculate much...

Image
Author:  DennisK [ Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut for Back Braces?
Just about any wood can be used for back braces. Mass isn't such an issue on the back. Otherwise we'd be making backs out of spruce instead of rosewood :)

Flattening of radius has nothing to do with the species of bracewood either. More with the species of back wood, how it's cut (flat or quarter sawn), and moisture content when the braces were glued. If you want consistent results, always make sure you dry the wood below the control humidity and acclimate up. If you acclimate from higher humidity down to the control level, the wood will still have more water in it than you'd expect, and can lead to the flattening problem.
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