The Most Important Gram of Wood in a Guitar

[@AldoSchmedack]

Do a half lap, drill hole tip to but (from headstock to opposite), then a slightly ovalish peg that also tapers slightly. Should lock and also spread the two thus stiffening. This from a toolmaker, machinist, gunsmith, woodworker (Queen Anne furniture, jointery, carving), bushcrafter, bow builder (archery), gunstock maker and snowshoe and ski builder. I came from a line of land developers and home builders (many generation). If those two cross braces had a tension twixt them it would make them under some slight tension stiffening them considerably. Easiest way is make hole, ream a slight taper, make plug that is a hair oversize (0.005-0.010"l then make one side perfect size, that slight difference will wedge it. Think a cone that is slightly flattened. The plug pin/wedge will almost look round and cylindrical, but it isn't. The key is tension. If the braces need help, simply add a cross the other way to each and half lap em. It sounds complicated but isn't at all. And would save a ton of time. Also possible to use a flat wedge but would not stay over time. When ya glue use acetone to remove oils, best I have found besides TCE.

[@jonahguitarguy]

Good video Eric. I've only built two guitars, well ones not finished yet, but I've used this little patch on both of them.

[@RickDeevey]

When you notch out the X braces for gluing to the top, which one gets the notch that needs reinforcement from the graft? Looking at your example, it seems that the brace that extends onto the bass side of the lower bout is the one that has a continuous glue surface to the top? Perhaps because that side has the greater forces acting upon it by the heavier strings?

[@MiniShowProductions]

Exceptional attention to detail I have now watched a number of your videos and find them very informative, I really want to build my own acoustic guitar, also thinking of buying your online course to help me as I do not have any experience in building from scratch I have recently started to buy a few bits and bobs tool wise but still need quite a few more any advice and info would be much appreciated

[@dominicleblanc5415]

That seems to make a lot of sense but it raises 2 questions. If that joint really needs more strength, why don't you use carbon fiber reinforcement like in falcate braces instead of wood? And do you glue the half lap joint itself? If so, the glue seam must add quite a bit of strength to it.

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Eric

[@unkobold]

Could this be added to an already « finished » factory-made guitar ?

[@stephensmith9756]

This is all a bunch of bs.

[@AldoSchmedack]

Sounds like you don't build or play either one.