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.
This was a really interesting post. As a guitar player I found it enjoyable to read about the history of martin guitars. I didn’t realize about how the actual structure inside the guitar was made, which was a real eye opener. I do hope in future post you include other articles relating to the history of guitars and how and why it went to electric and describing the other components in detail. I also hope that you talk about the wood used to create a guitar specifically what wood is normally used and which one is the best and how the overall tonal quality is changed because of it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, really interesting...
ReplyDelete