Vintage Bracing Examples

1984 Taylor 710 Top
It had major fire damage on the outside of the top.  The braces are fairly large, and it has a large E. I. rosewood bridge plate.

Gibson 1970’s Double X
This top came off a 1951 J-185 that had been re-topped by Gibson in the 70’s.

1936 Gibson J-35
Note that these braces are very thin.  It also is unusual in that it is a 1936 model based on the guitar’s F.O.N, but it has 2 tone bars.  There are several combinations of bracing in the J-35.  Scalloped with 2 or 3 tone bars and un-scalloped with 2 or 3 tone bars.

1951 Gibson LG-2
The braces are original.  The top and the bridge plate are replacements.

1950’s Gibson LG-1
Note the ladder bracing and the large spruce bridge plate.  The bridge plate is a constant source of problems, because the string balls dig into the soft spruce.  A thin maple overlay is sometimes added to stop the damage.

Burkett Top Bracing
This bracing is patterned after the 1936 J-35 top pictured above.