The Guitar as a Structure and Some Practical Information on Bracing

by James Blilie

Originally published in American Lutherie #100, 2009



Why does the neck of the guitar break at the nut when dropped off the stage?

Why does the bridge sometimes pull off a guitar? Why does the neck of a guitar sometimes need to be reset? Why does a really thick guitar top give less bass response than a top of more typical thickness (a thinner top)? These are questions that are — primarily — structural.

I have seen many ideas on the structure of guitars in print that are simply wrong. I am a structural engineer and have been working in the civil engineering, aviation, and medical device industries for twenty-five years. My engineering work has been, in essence, ensuring that structures are strong (or stiff) enough. I am also a guitar maker since 1998 (I’m building my fifty-ninth guitar) and a fingerstyle guitar player. I have found that my engineering experience has helped my guitar building in many ways. This is my $0.02 worth as an experienced structural engineer.