1840's Martin Alternate X Braced Guitar
This Size 1 Martin has another experimental variant of X bracing, closely related to the Schmidt & Maul in Chapter 12, with a large X, and a tone bar below
the bridge crossing the treble brace of the X to form another, smaller X. Similar in concept to the Schmidt & Maul, with a tone bar crossing on the treble
strut of the fan to form a smaller X, this appears to be the first of the variants to contain a large, complete X.
The soundhole of this guitar has another variation of the diamond rosette, with a tasteful single center ring of alternating long and short abalone diamonds.
This example also has features typical of a mid-1840's Martin, including a Spanish foot, Spanish heel, nickel silver nut, large abalone fretboard markers
on the side of the neck, ebony pyramid bridge with a "scooped" or "lipped" back, and a large diamond end strip and outer rosette rings with a tiny rope pattern
of early Martins and arrowhead backstrip of later 19th century Martins.
This guitar has a jewel like rosette of pearl diamonds and many features of the mid 1840's Martin and Martin & Coupa guitars with early experimental variants of X bracing.
One such feature if the nickel silver nut...
This guitar has early Jerome tuners with bone rollers...
Another feature is the large pearl dots on the neck itself rather than the side of the fretboard...
Another distinctive feature is the early pyramid bridge with the scooped back bridge...
This guitar still has the early "arrowhead" marquetry...
an elegant curved heel...
and an early marquetry end strip...
This guitar also has the "faux Spanish style" foot...
To See Robert Corwin's Classic Photography of Folk and Roots Musicians, visit:
For Information on Photography for
Exhibition, Publication, CD's, Promotion, Web Pages, Tour Books,
to Purchase Photographic Prints, or
If You Have Questions or Suggestions About This Web Site or Vintage Martin Guitars:
e-mail: Robert Corwinentire site copyright ©1998 through 2016 Robert Corwin/Photo-Arts. All rights reserved.