This question is probably for Bryan. I have seen his site and discussion about removing the tongue or popsicle brace on dreads. I am assuming that the 12-fret dreads have the same brace. I saw a description of a Collings DS2H for sale on Bishop Violins website and it said "tongue brace removed" (unfortunately, that guitar has been sold). I believe it was ordered like this from Collings. Any warranty issues if it is shipped without the brace from the factory? And is this brace any more or less important structurally in a 12-fret as opposed to a 14-fret? Will removing it (or ordering a guitar without it installed) give the same benefits as in a 14-fret?

Thanks, Rob