Luthier Tips du Jour - Double Tops - Part I of II

[micheloderso]

Warum schneidet man das "nomax" nicht mit einer Schere aus nachdem man die Konturen aufgezeichnet hat?

[OBrienGuitars]

@micheloderso

Sie könnten versuchen, Schere. Wenn es funktioniert lass es mich wissen.

[laysampson1231c]

This is a very "discreet" video. =p

[danbombliss]

I've got a question... Unless I'm missing something the tally for the 3 sections comes out to .160". .060" skin+ .060" Nomex+ .040" Skin.

What's the final thickness for use of this top? Which skin gets the brute of the material taken off? .100" of spruce plus the nomex seems as if it would defeat the purpose.

I really appreciate the video, it's great information. I'm just missing something here is all.

Thanks again for another vib, Robbie.

[OBrienGuitars]

@danbombliss The top in this video was for a steel string guitar. Most folks doing double tops for classicals are going thinner than what I show in the videos.

[danbombliss]

@OBrienGuitars I understand it's for a steel string. The only part I'm confused by is a regular steel string top is only about .120", for solid spruce. The double top here is a total of .160", with a total of .100" of solid spruce, plus the skin in the middle. I did come across Alan Dunwell's website and he has some information on there, where both of his skins are .040" with a .060" center.

I'm not trying to find any contridictions, just making sure I get my info correct before I try it

[OBrienGuitars]

@danbombliss In some cases the double tops are thicker than normal tops. However, it is a totally different ballgame and seems to work. You can go just as thin as regular tops when making composite tops too. Good luck.

[danbombliss]

@OBrienGuitars Thanks Robbie. I was just confused where the weight was being saved if almost the same amount of spruce was being used. But I suppose the bracing would factor into ore weight saved as well.

I appreciate the videos!

[OBrienGuitars]

@danbombliss ad to scratch my head a couple of times too about that very issue. I recently had a student make a double top that came in at 3.5mm thick. It sounded awesome!!! There is more going on than just the total thickness. Bracing has a big bearing in this too. Let me know how it goes.

[danbombliss]

@OBrienGuitars Do you have any advice or know of any online resources for bracing information on double tops? Because I have not found any information on the topic, I was going to go with the standard bracing, but thinned out a bit.

[OBrienGuitars]

@danbombliss Standard bracing thinned a bit is a good starting point. I know of no online resource for this.

[fawnication]

Ikea door construction nice ;D

[CNlyrical]

Thank you for these profound explanations!

[peybak]

very cool! Technology meets tradition.