Feathered braces v tucked braces

[Bruce McC]

On the J 45 drawing #1 only the top end of the X braces are housed into the linings.
The bottom ends of the X braces are feathered and not set into the linings.
Is this normal on all X braced guitars? Does this make for a more responsive top?

[Trevor Gore]

On the J 45 drawing #1 only the top end of the X braces are housed into the linings.
The bottom ends of the X braces are feathered and not set into the linings.
Is this normal on all X braced guitars?

Most guitars have the bottom ends of the X braces set into the linings, which is fine if you want a truly "robust" guitar which will effectively double as a baseball bat.

Does this [feathering] make for a more responsive top?

Yes, substantially. Does it make the guitar more fragile? Not dangerously so. My guitar, from which the drawings were made, is over 25 years old, has mostly been strung with 13s, and survived a drop from waist height onto a wooden floor, landing on the lower bout treble side binding and survived virtually damage free.

[Bruce McC]

Thank you Trevor. Speaking of baseball bats must try hickory for back and sides on the next steel string.

[kiwigeo]

"survived a drop from waist height onto a wooden floor, landing on the lower bout treble side binding and survived virtually damage free."

But has it survived the ultimate test of resilience.....a full on bar room fight?