Construction

Construction
Internal Experiments with bracing patterns, some original and some conventional, have led me to the system I use today. It is a straightforward seven-strut fan. A transverse support just below the sound hole is mounted so as to afford the soundboard maximum vibrational freedom. I reinforce all 360 degrees of the rosette. I place a short patch under the bridge. I use no other struts or patches.
External

I build most of my instruments this way with just a single side-piece. There is no joint at the tail and therefore no internal reinforcing block

I extend the heel cap down the length of the back. If the body color contrasts nicely with ebony, that's what I use for the extended heel cap. Otherwise, I use the same wood as the body, with accent lines.
To view typical rosettes click here