Re: Is this old Washburn worth restoring?
Originally Posted by
Tavy
>......what typically happens with canted top instruments is that you get a "crumple zone" either side of the soundhole and distortion here allows the body to flex at that point under the string pull. No need for the neck to be loose for that to happen.
The reason that you see this on canted top instruments rather than other flat tops, is the typical thickness of the top - around 2mm for a bowlback, and I'm assuming, but don't know, that these are the same. They have to be very lightly strung.
John, you just gave a very clear explanation of what I've tried to write (less clearly) a dozen or so times here.
The neck typically isn't bent or warped the way we might see in a longer necked instrument, but it rotates around that "crumple zone". Even just a little rotation (not enough to crumple) is enough through playability out the window.
I've seen in Martin and Embergher bowlbacks a small "stiffener plate" of wood reinforcing the top between the topmost brace and the neck joint. I've been adding one in on all my bowlbacks as a precautionary measure.
Of course keeping them in their cases with XL strings are much more important precautionary measures....
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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