kink56 Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Hello, can anyone tell me if the recent and current Historic Custom Shop reissue of the Wes Montgomery single humbucker L-5 CES has X bracing or parallel bracing please? http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Archtop/Gibson-Custom/Wes-Montgomery.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 It's my "assumption" that ALL archtops have parallel bracing. My L-5CES has two parallel braces (basically one each under the outside strings, and a perpendicular cross-brace behind each of the two pickups. My L-7 acoustic has the two parallel braces and no cross-braces (not required for there are no pickup holes to weaken the soundboard). Based on this, I would assume that a "Wes" would have the two parallel braces and (maybe) one cross-brace behind the pickup. It's also my "assumption" (I have used this word three times in this post) that X-bracing is a flat-top thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kink56 Posted January 28, 2011 Author Share Posted January 28, 2011 Many of the original single pickup Jazz boxes had a single X brace. A friend from Italy wants to know, and depending on the bracing he will buy one. He is VERY specific and particular. So, I need to know for sure. Thank you for your input. The acoustic L5s from the 30s and 40s had X bracing (for example) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkmp Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 According to Adrian Ingram's book "The Gibson L5": "By 1939, however, parallel bracing had become the standard method for supporting the instrument's carved top". One of the reasons being its better support of the new 17 inch body. The electric L5's even got bigger braces to support the electronics (and further apart). I believe only the Gibson Johnny Smith had x-bracing after that, requested by Smith because his d'Angelico used this type of bracing. I can recommend this book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny W. Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 L-5's with set-in pickups have parallel bracing. An acoustic L-5 or one with a floating pickup will generally be cross-braced, which Gibson calls "acoustic bracing." Danny W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzGtr Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Parallel Bracing. Jazz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kink56 Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Thank you one and all, I will tell my friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sofaplayer Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Does it make a difference in sound? What does your italian friend prefer and why? Just curious... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kink56 Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 I know that the various bracing makes quite a difference in tone. For example when Norlin went to double X bracing on almost all the acoustics in the 70s, it killed the tone of such classics as the Hummingbird, Dove, J45, and so on. I do not know for sure what bracing he is hoping for, I suspect it is parallel, but I did not ask him. Even if you scallop the bracing, or not, will make a difference in tone. The Jumbo 55 and the Advanced Jumbo of the 40s owe a bit of their tone to the style of bracing used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kink56 Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 Well my friend is VERY happy to learn they have parallel bracing. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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