1840's Martin & Coupa Alternate X Braced Spanish Style Guitar
This Martin has what I believe may be the first experimental variation of X-bracing,which appears at about the same time on a handful of Martins and Schmidt & Maul Guitars.
One such Schmidt& Maul is dated 1845.
This example, which is quite close in size to a standard Size 2 Martin, also foreshadows a standard Martin Style 21, with simple, tasteful appointments including a herringbone
rosette and back strip and a top border consisting of simple light and dark lines. The back is rosewood over mahogany veneer.
Body width: 11 15/16"
Upper body width: 8.5"
Body length: 18 3/8"
Upper body depth: 3 9/32"
Lower body depth: 4 1/8"
Neck width at nut: 1 29/32"
Neck width at 12th fret: 2 5/16"
Soundhole: 3 9/16"
Scale: 24.5"
String spacing at bridge: 2 5/16"
Top braces: early experimental variation of X bracing with two outer blades of fan surrounding narrow X
Back braces: 2 wide 1/2" V shaped, 1 half round, and one 6" x 3/4" "floating" flat brace not extending to sides
Stamp: "C.F. Martin New-York" on 2 3/4" shield shaped Spanish foot
Martin & Coupa label
This guitar has another variation of the "floating back brace" seen on several of Martin's "Renaissance" guitars, which does not extend to the sides.
Illustrated in Washburn & Johnston p. 36
Illustrated in Carter, p. 18
vintagemartin.com
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