Carbon Reinforced Lattice Bracing.

[Kim]

You still have not put me off the longitudinal balsa lattice idea though

Jim

And I would hope not!

Yes, that is the Stuff Jim, can be viewed at LMI website.

http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproduc ... der=+Nomex

Cheers

Kim

[Gwenn]

Hello there,

I'm venturing into this hall of experts and have a question. My luthier english is getting much better, but when it comes to physics and advanced notions, I'm left a bit flabbergasted and flummoxed!!
I understand that there are several options when it comes to using CF in bracing a top, among which carbon capped balsa braces and vertically laminated piece of CF in the centre of a brace. If I get things right the laminated option should look like this:

But i don't understand how the "capped" option is organised, could someone post a picture?

Thanks

Gwenn, Paris

[jeffhigh]

I don't doubt you at all Kim.
I know that some are going braceless to the lower bout.
All I am saying, is that to do that, the sandwich would have to be thicker than typical.
I am not sure why going braceless is an ideal to be aimed for anyhow, seems to me like going braless, good in theory, but with a downside.

[Allen]

Here's what I've done on my ukes.

[Kim]

Hi Gwenn,

We had a very revealing discussion on how best to use CF some time back. You mention that you struggle a little with english and I do know that an image would be easier. But this thread is worth struggling with as Jeff Highland provides a great lesson.

viewtopic.php?t=1509&highlight=graphite

Cheers

Kim

[Kim]

I am not sure why going braceless is an ideal to be aimed for anyhow, seems to me like going braless, good in theory, but with a downside.

Gravity! gets ya every time

[Puff]

Kim I

[Bob Connor]

I'm very much with you Puff.

I will use carbon fibre for structural reasons and I see some very good applications for it in the neck, on upper transverse braces and flying buttresses, but I'm not sold on the idea in areas of the guitar that influence tone ie the lower bout.

Having used very light (3mm x 5mm) lattice bracing (Engelmann Spruce) on the last few guitars I've built I don't think there would be much weight advantage using balsa with CF tow applied to both top and bottom.

And certainly the extra time, effort, mess and health hazards would dissuade me from wanting to experiment with it given that I'm fairly happy with the sound I'm getting from the wood lattice bracing.

[jeffhigh]

I think both the nomex and CF lattice bracing are going to have most effect on nylon strung instruments where the available High frequency energy is limited and lightness with stiffness really counts.
Less so on steel string instruments where we are generally ending up scalloping braces to increase bass response.
I also wonder how effective the nomex is with weight reduction when you are leaving a solid pad under the bridge, which would be the point of maximum excursion for monopole action.

[schrammguitars]

I have a whole series of videos on how I build my lattice tops here http://schrammguitars.com/wu.html

[Kim]

Thank you David, nice to see you back