2011 Zwinakis petite bouche - SOLD

wim

Jim Kaznosky wrote: »

I'm thinking there are 5 braces. based on my incredibly unscientific tapping on the top. Honestly, it is something I've never been asked nor thought about.
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What's a good way to figure it out?

Gypsy guitars may have a top so thin that light shines through. Well, maybe not a cheapy factory guitar with 6mm of lacquer on top, but most good luthier-made guitars should do it. So you can put some bicycle LEDs inside and take a photo. Here's an example with my Barault. In this particular case, you can clearly see the bottom brace is missing (because it's a Selmer 503 replica).

Jim Kaznosky

Great idea. I've just got to find an LED small enough to fit through the mouth.

Paul Crabill

I had a full setup done with fret level and polish and had the luthier check the braces inside. It has four braces like Django's. The luthier had a cool telescoping, lighted mirror that fit through the hole.

Jim Kaznosky

How is it playing, Paul?

Paul Crabill

Hey Jim, It plays incredibly well. The luthier that did the work graduated from the Roberto Venn school of luthiery and was close by. He did a great job and really made it sing. Also, it put a set of DR tuners on it and they look great. Thanks again Jim and Happy Holidays.