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Wood top thickness

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

I'm planning a wood-topped tenor banjo with a pot 14" or more across, the top to be redwood. Reading previous threads I find that one, wood topped banjos are generally described as soft-toned, and two, that the thinner the top gets, the louder it gets. How thin could this top be, and what kind of bracing would it need? Some examples I've seen online have only a plain band across by way of bracing, or a plain X. Graham MacDonald the Australian luthier  has a more elaborate lattice pattern for a bouzouki or cittern, which looks good and braces more of the surface. What should I use for a top (soundboard) about 2 mm thick or less?

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dmusick50@hotmail.com
Playing Since: 2007
Experience Level: Purty Good

Interests:
[Socializing]

Occupation: disabled busker

Gender: Male
Age: 76

My Instruments:
tenor banjo, bouzouki, flute, whistle, recorder, bagpipe, spoons, saxophone






Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Gerry O'Connor, Johnny Keenan, Paddy Keenan, Liam O'Flynn, Andy Irvine, Red Watson, Gordon Bok, Bela Fleck, Planxty, Barney McKenna

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Created 5/27/2011
Last Visit 6/16/2015

Raised in Colorado, always played music, always had trouble with strings but couldn't leave them alone, been trying all my life to whittle the instruments I want to play down to a manageable number. Got turned on to tenor banjo possibilities in the 60s & 70s but didn't manage to start seriously for myself until 2007 or 8...quadruple bypass and prostate cancer surgeries sidelined me to an extent but I walk and play as much as I can.

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