View Full Version : Tone bar / X-bracing.
I'm sure this has been asked before, but in reviewing old posts I can't find it.
What excactly is the difference between "X-bracing" in a mandolin and "tone bar bracing"? Is it significant in a manolins sound. Thanks.
Tom
onlyagibsonisgoodenuff
Jun-29-2004, 5:38pm
Tone bars never intersect. They run from the tailpiece end of the mando to the neck end angling towards each other as they go, but never meet. X-bracing crosses, and it depends on the builder as to where that intersection is located, ie: under the bridge, in front of it, whatever. Tone bar mandolins are considered the traditional way to build, but x-braced have been around a long time, too. Many people disagree as to whether one is better than the other, so I won't get into that. What I will say is that some of the best luthiers in the world have built both styles, so as Pete Wernick is known to say, "If it sounds good, it must BE good."
Rich Michaud
Jun-30-2004, 2:16pm
For what its worth, Steve Gilchrist has made wonderful x-braced mandos for years. It was his standard. He now gives purchasers the option of tone or X. The talk is that the x bracing sounds better out of the box. The question remains how will it sound over the long haul? On the other hand, who cares about the long haul? I have instruments with both and both are great. If I were buying my first and only instrument I probably would buy traditional-tone bars. Rich M.
pickinNgrinnin
Jun-30-2004, 3:20pm
Check this link out:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2168.htm
Some heavy hitters weighing in on this topic.
Chip Booth
Jan-18-2006, 7:14am
This link to FOTW no longer exists, wondering of somebody out there copied the text from it?
Chip
Adam Tracksler
Jan-18-2006, 7:37am
gotta love the internet way back machine.....
here is the page (http://web.archive.org/web/20021118080051/http://folkofthewood.com/page2168.htm)
nothing ever really goes away in cyberspace....
8ch(pl)
Jan-18-2006, 12:44pm
I saw a Gibson Alrite, (which was made only in 1917 before becoming the Army-Navy model) which had been converted to X bracing. Originally it had 2 tone bars which ran on either side of the round sound hole. The shopowner, a pretty good luthier, said that it is common for the tops to lift on this model. The Army Navy had a traverse brace crossing the top. He managed to flatten out the top again and reattach it to the modified instrument. It had a very nice sound. I played an Army Navy as well that day and prefered the X braced Alrite. Collector's value is likely out the window.