Soundboard orientation

[Paul M]

1) No
or

2) No one knows

Without someone doing a bunch of guitars that are otherwise identical but changing this one detail it would be hard to have any definitive opinion on that.

There might be a way to differentiate the stiffness from the two sides of the top but you’d be getting into pretty heady air there.

I think in general the tighter grain lines go in the middle, aesthetically, but it’s your guitar.

[IanHemphill Hemp Hill Studio]

No multi-instrument controlled-build data to back this up, but the way I’ve been thinking about this is: generally we want the top to move well in the primary modes, which need more flexibility in the outer parts of the top. To the point where many makers do a final lap of sanding around the top to add to that flexibility. My thinking is that the higher density areas of the panel (closer grain) should then be in the center at the join, with the lower density areas at the outside. I’m just thinking out loud, so do with it what you will. 😜. But in the end, those effects may well be swamped by the bracing and sanding that you do anyway, so just doing the aesthetically pleasing thing for your guitar is probably the way to go.

[Giuliano Nicoletti]

I agree with everything that has been said; there will be a difference, because there is always a difference, but of secondary vibroacoustic importance; usually you choose the best looking combination, that is generally accepted with tighter grains at the center.

Cheers,

Giuliano