The X Brace Is King?

In building a guitar their are many different bracing styles. Some have a preference, some think they have a preference, others might not know. Left: X-Braced Right: Ladder Braced

X brace
X-BracedLadder Braced

It’s not a history lesson, and… I, not a guitar history scholar, only want to change popular opinion about the ladder-braced guitar. Ladder bracing was ubiquitous in early American guitar production. Guitars with tailpieces and floating bridges have now gone out of fashion. Even in a world filled with guitar hardware options, manufacturers overlook tailpieces suitable for flat top guitars. The tailpiece pictured is an eBay find that was reasonably priced at around $35. I have great affection for vintage tailpieces. I love their potential for design real estate on a guitar. They also offer ease of installation and contribute to the tone… Why are these still not a thing? In the 50s- 70s, there were dozens of options. Now, vintage tail pieces are selling for upwards of $100+. Much more than I’m willing to pay.

Nowadays, the X-brace is king, but the ladder braced guitars still have much to offer. Tonally they sound more like a snare drum (but not like a banjo) than a marimba with their sharp, snappy, crisp notes. Perfect for fingerstyle and rhythmic playing typical of early American music. After playing a ladder-braced guitar and getting used to its sound, I become annoyed by the rich overtones of a modern X-braced guitar, and my ear want the flatter- plucky- jangle of the ladder. Here is what I call my Red Burst ladder braced guitar.

For Sale- Contact for Pricing

  • String Type: D’Addario PhosBronze .012-0.53
  • Number of Strings: 6
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right- Handed
  • Body Shape: Parlor
  • Back & Sides Wood: Macassar ebony
  • Top Wood: Spruce
  • Top Finish: Lacquer
  • Color: Red Burst
  • Body Bracing: Ladder
  • Binding: ABS plastic
  • Neck Wood: Mahogany
  • Neck Shape: C
  • Radius: 18″
  • Fingerboard Material: Rosewood fretboard
  • Fingerboard Inlay: Pearloid
  • Number of Frets: 12 to body joint 18 total
  • Scale Length: 24 1/8″ or 613 mm
  • Nut Width: 1 7/8″ or 47 mm
  • Nut/Saddle Material: Bone
  • Bridge Material: Ebony
  • Electronics: None
  • Case/Gig Bag: Hard Case
  • Builder: Tosten Guitars @ tostenguitars.com