X-Bracing vs. Parallel Bracing (Tone Bars) on an Archtop?

**Tom Karol** · 03-07-2012, 10:51 AM

Just curious - what are the differences/pros&cons structurally and tonally?

**Tom Karol** · 03-07-2012, 11:11 AM

Thanks, Chris!

**Klatu** · 03-07-2012, 11:41 AM

In general, I've found that x bracing produces an open soft sound balanced nicely between highs, mids, and bass. Parallel bracing produces a more strident cutting tone which slices through the mix like butter.

Of course, these descriptions are generalizations and exaggerations, but should help to define the differences between these two bracing systems.

**Likeke** · 03-07-2012, 05:12 PM

Depends too on the placement of pickups. A 175 type archtop has parallel bracing whereas many of the floating pickup guitars have cross bracing. Parallel bracing is better able to withstand string tension without top plate distorting allowing the top to be a more uniform thinness. (also the holes in the top for the pickups can weaken the top plate). According to Benedetto, "a parallel braced top will produce a louder sound with greater projection than a thicker top with X bracing which will produce a softer, mellow sound."

**stevedenver** · 03-07-2012, 05:37 PM

with all the variables
imho
aqnd not in contradiction to the above posts -ie cutting through the mix etc

x bracing sounds, more modern, ie a bit more sustain and the character, a bit, of a flat top, more open, more bassy and treble-i tend to love these for finger style

parallel-your classic, tight mid, punchy, almost brassy, classic archtop

sames goes for mandos too

dont know if that helps but its what ive noticed
and it seems that some of the more progressive contemporary builders are using the x brace

and i think too, as noted, in the days of super heavy strings for sheer power and volume-a parallel braced top was necessary to avoid the huge pressure and top deflection, and it was simply the Loar inspiried design

i think that with technology, ie amplification choices, and the trend toward somewhat lighter strings, x bracing is absolutely functional

also, an x braced insturemtn will tend to sound a bit more 'broken in' right from the start-ie open and a bit looser,

parallel archtops can take years , but once they do its a unique sweetness and timbre

**jhchop** · 03-07-2012, 07:21 PM

If you want a tone that cuts, has a greater fundamental component and less sustain go parallel.
If you want a richer, more interesting tone - meaning more abundant overtones in the structure - and more sustain, go X brace.
These are starting points as there are many other variables that contribute dramatically to how a particular guitar sounds including: the density of the soundboard, stiffness, width of the bracing, height of the bracing, shape of the bracing, how hard or soft the braces are and footprint of the bridge.
So, you can start with the beginning generalizations, but once you decide what you are "generally" looking for, either have that tone dialed in by a custom build from a luthier, or play as many guitars that have the build you are looking for. If you ever had the experience of having a luthier build an instrument for you, this is exactly why they spend so much time trying to understand what tonal envelop you are looking for. They have the advantage of matching components in a way to build an instrument as close as possible to your ideas, or at least they hope to!

**cjm** · 03-07-2012, 07:58 PM

I think you pays yer money and you takes yer choice.

I think parallel bracing makes a simpler job of installing set in pickups and that's why Gibson didn't go back to an earlier X braced design when they electrified the L5 even though they didn't need volume and projection in an electric guitar.

The Johnny Smith is an L5 derivative and does have X bracing along with a floating pickup. But when you compare an X braced Johnny Smith with a floater to an L5CES with routed pickups there really isn't a whole hell of a lot of difference. Neither is any good as an acoustic guitar. Both tend to feedback in the same situations. Through the same amp they sound about the same.

The automotive industry relies on planned obsolescence to drive new car sales. Many years, the difference between this year's "all new and improved Belchfire" and last year's now obsolete "Belchfire" is that the sheet metal skin is bent slightly differently.

Most "higher tier" guitars are sold to people who already own guitars -- not to first time guitar buyers. Guitars are durable goods -- they don't wear out after 6 months or a year. You can only play one guitar at a time.

Therefore -- most expensive guitars are sold to people who don't need another guitar. Something has to be done to trigger an attack of GAS or the new guitar won't be sold.

So a lot of esoteric and contradictory minutia is floated to sell new guitars and some of this becomes part of the lore and mystique and remains to drive resale of what have become "vintage" guitars rather than "2nd hand" guitars.

I find more difference between individual guitars of the same model than I find between the set of parallel braced guitars and the set of X braced guitars.

So I think it's mostly goat plop.

**Jabberwocky** · 03-07-2012, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by cjm

Snip...

So I think it's mostly goat plop.

Thank you for telling it as it is. GAS cured........until the next blonde L5 or Johnny Smith or Super 400 crops up on the market and then it is drool time all over again.

**Patrick2** · 03-07-2012, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by cjm

I think you pays yer money and you takes yer choice.

I think parallel bracing makes a simpler job of installing set in pickups and that's why Gibson didn't go back to an earlier X braced design when they electrified the L5 even though they didn't need volume and projection in an electric guitar.

The Johnny Smith is an L5 derivative and does have X bracing along with a floating pickup. But when you compare an X braced Johnny Smith with a floater to an L5CES with routed pickups there really isn't a whole hell of a lot of difference. Neither is any good as an acoustic guitar. Both tend to feedback in the same situations. Through the same amp they sound about the same.

The automotive industry relies on planned obsolescence to drive new car sales. Many years, the difference between this year's "all new and improved Belchfire" and last year's now obsolete "Belchfire" is that the sheet metal skin is bent slightly differently.

Most "higher tier" guitars are sold to people who already own guitars -- not to first time guitar buyers. Guitars are durable goods -- they don't wear out after 6 months or a year. You can only play one guitar at a time.

Therefore -- most expensive guitars are sold to people who don't need another guitar. Something has to be done to trigger an attack of GAS or the new guitar won't be sold.

So a lot of esoteric and contradictory minutia is floated to sell new guitars and some of this becomes part of the lore and mystique and remains to drive resale of what have become "vintage" guitars rather than "2nd hand" guitars.

I find more difference between individual guitars of the same model than I find between the set of parallel braced guitars and the set of X braced guitars.

So I think it's mostly goat plop.

Goat plop . . . . . GOAT PLOP??? Definitely not a New York or New Jersey term. We would just settle for the more common term . . . . Bull shit!!!

I do, as always, admire your attempts at softer and more civil terminology. But, are there really goats where you live? Why don't you just eat them when they're still sheep? Goat . . . mutton? . . . tastes really bad, as compared to some nice pistaschio encrusted roast rack of lamb . . . . complimented by a nice smooth Amarone.

Regarding the bracing on arch top guitars . . . just when I think I've got it totally figured out, along comes a guitar that totally disproves all of the above stated generalities. I recently (two weeks ago) got a brand new Heritage Golden Eagle. It was custom ordered by a dealer, then they backed out of the deal, so I bought it. It was just too beautiful to pass up. It's X braced with an inset neck mounted pup. It's almost identical to the last Golden Eagle I had custom built for me. The differences; the Golden Eagle I had custom built (also X braced) is soft, mellow, refined and sounds like it has been lovingly played for 25 years. The new Golden Eagle is an absolute cannon. It projects tremendously! But, it sounds very tight. Very . . . new. It sounds almost identical to the L5 Wes Montgomery I bought last year . . . which is parallele braced.

Now, on the other hand, I have a 1994 paralelle braced Super Eagle, also with one inset neck mounted pup, which I would swear was X braced due to its mellow, even, soft tonality.

So, I just try not to get caught up in the whole over analysis fiasco. I just play 'em all and love 'em equally.

**fws6** · 03-08-2012, 10:00 AM

cjm is talking about amplification etc

acoustically I think their is a very audible difference between parrallel or x-braced models of the same (or similar) guitars

If you listen to the L5 and L12 of this vid

you get a very typical example of characteristic parrallel vs x braced sounds

**brad4d8** · 03-08-2012, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

But, are there really goats where you live? Why don't you just eat them when they're still sheep? Goat . . . mutton? . . . tastes really bad, as compared to some nice pistaschio encrusted roast rack of lamb . . . . complimented by a nice smooth Amarone.

Your New York/New Jersey is showing. Sheep do not turn into goats, lamb does become mutton, but goats are goats, a different animal entirely.
Brad

Nuff Said · 03-08-2012, 10:49 AM

All I know is that, "X" bracing on a good carved Archtop sounds great acoustically and "Parallel" bracing on a good carved Archtop sounds great acoustically.

Nuff

**Patrick2** · 03-08-2012, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by brad4d8

Your New York/New Jersey is showing. Sheep do not turn into goats, lamb does become mutton, but goats are goats, a different animal entirely.
Brad

I knew that . . . no, really. . . . . I did

. But, seriously, it seems to me like somewhere along the way in the past 6 decades or so that I've embarrased the planet earth with my very existence, I would have learned that. I guess I figured that because they spoke the same language . . . "baaaa baaaaa" .. they were somehow related. Probably only second cousins?

I wonder if this changes cjm's reference to . . . goat plop???

**Hammertone** · 03-09-2012, 07:15 AM

My Belchfire Wombat is x-braced AND parallel braced, and is a sweet ride.

**Klatu** · 03-09-2012, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

My Belchfire Wombat is x-braced AND parallel braced, and is a sweet ride.

How does it perform in crash tests?

**Archtop 13** · 05-23-2012, 10:39 PM

Parallel bracing to me has a more generic acoustic tone. Straight forward & pronounced.
X Bracing allows the builder to go for a more modern Jazz type flavor from the instrument. This doesn't always ring true, you have to get the bracing & top thickness/graduations "right", also. Every instrument needs to be thought through, an X Braced guitar is no exception.