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[QUOTE=Parser]    I would think that concentrating the vibration in one effective part (the top) would minimize damping of the sound as well as assist in the volume of the instrument. It just seems that the more stuff you get moving, the less efficient the guitar will become.
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That is definitly true, in the Aussie lattice brace style, the back and sides stay as stiff as possible to facilitate the top/strings transferring energy more efficiently. There is a trade-off however and is part of the reason for my original post. The sound of a lattice brace guitar is "unique" to say the least. Without the back and sides coloring the sound as much, there is a big rift between people who like and hate the sound of lattice braced guitars. It seems people either love them or hate'em. Also, with the top being so thin and sensitive, the armrest you see is vital. If you rest your arm on the top without the armrest, it really dampens the sound and cuts the volume by about half.