C.F. Martin and X-Bracing

During the nineteenth century instruments have been increasing in size but has failed to bring quality sound and stability until C.F. Martin came along and changed all that forever.

One of the most innovative structural designs for the acoustic guitar was the X-Bracing. During the 1850’s, Martin had begun to feature a bracing that was never been seen before in acoustic instruments, and that was the X-Bracing design. The X-Bracing design was installed between the sound hole and the bridge. For those of you who don’t know what the sound hole or the bridge means, it is the hole that is iconic in the guitar world and the bridge is towards the bottom of the guitar that holds the strings. This is the area where there is extreme tension so Martin had to come up with a design that can offer excellent sound and durability. The X-bracing did just that. It provided strength and stability to the tops of the instrument.

Now, one of the biggest controversies in the guitar world is the question of who is the first person to invent the X-Bracing design. Between Martin, Schmidt & Maul, and Stumcke, all of these guitar makers had the X-bracing design. Although these guitar makers are all aware of each other, at one point in 1850, they all had X-bracing design in all of their guitars. This is when the argument of who invented the X-bracing started. Martin claims that they are the ones who invented the X-bracing, and I tend to believe them because Martin has documents stating that they started making X-bracing guitars and have been selling them longer than the other manufacturers, and this is all recorded and documented.

Source: Gura, Philip F. C.F. Martin & His Guitars, 1796-1873. Chapell Hill: University of North Carolina, 2003. Print.

X-Bracing Design

A Brief History of C.F. Martin and Co.

     To understand the acoustic guitar one most understand the origins of one of the most recognized and respected acoustical instruments that ever existed, the C.F. Martin guitars.

     Christian Friedrich Martin was the founder of C.F. Martin Co. in Mark Neunkirchen, Germany. At the age of 15, Christian left for Vienna, where he became an employee of Johann Stauffer, who was one of the most known guitar makers of the period. From there on he learned everything there is to know and in 1833 of November, C.F. Martin arrives in America and sets up his own guitar shop at 196 Hudson Street in New York City. When Christian moved to America he brought with him sketches, drawings, and specifications of Johann Stauffer’s guitars to form his own new custom guitars.

     One of the things that C.F. Martins claims for a long time is the question of who invented the X-braced guitar. One of the most innovative in the evolution of the guitar is the invention of the X-bracing, which allows the guitar to basically support and reinforce the soundboard and the back of the acoustic guitar so that the guitar doesn’t snap in place due to all the tension created by the strings being strummed. To support this claim, C.F. Martin has documents showing that between 1842 and 1843, they have created the first size 1 model, which has the X-bracing technology in the guitar.

     The invention of the X-bracing has revolutionized the way manufactures make guitars. The X-bracing technique requires fewer materials in the guitar in order for it to not break or create warping in the wood.

     Throughout this blog I will explain and demonstrate the kinds of equipment used to create these incredible instruments that are known for their excellence in sound and quality of work.