A functional work of art – ‘scalloped’ bracing brings out the tone of the guitar

scalloped braces

It’s a shame that most of the really important work on an acoustic guitar is never seen, as it is on the inside…..The braces are carved roughly first, then graduated to weaken them and ‘loosen’ the top, so it becomes more responsive and even sounding.

Tapping the soundboard during this process determines where to remove the material from. You can hear the change in character as this happens. The sound changes from a short high pitched ringing note to a lower, louder, longer vibration with far more power and sustain.