From the Chinery Collection

Martin Guitar
C. F. Martin, Sr.
Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Around 1852

Guitars of the 18th century commonly used gut and metal-wound gut strings. A simple solution to 19th-century demands for greater volume was to utilize newly available materials. But the structure of the guitar had to be reinforced to withstand the resulting increase in tension.

Christian Frederick Martin was one of the innovators in the transition to steel strings. Around 1850 Martin invented "X-bracing," the use of crossed wooden strips in the guitar's top for structural reinforcement. He also developed other design features, such as a body shape that was smaller above the sound hole than below, and a square peghead. They marked the beginning of a new American flattop guitar design that is little changed today.