1840's Martin Small DiGoni Alternate X Braced Spanish Style Guitar
The Size 1 Martin produced for Madame DiGoni, the first Martin with an early form of X bracing, is rather plain. In the following years Martin produced a number of guitars listed as "Small DiGoni", some of which were quite fancy. I can only assume that these smaller guitars with the same distinctive bracing is what was being referred to as a "Small DiGoni".
This example does indeed have the same distinctive early form of X bracing as the DiGoni, as well as a number of high end features, including the jewel like rosette, fancy marquetry, side filets, and a few other unique features. This is a rare example with marquetry on all borders. A handful of other Martins have fancy wood marquetry on the top and side borders, but marquetry on the back border as on this one is surprisingly rare. A handful of other Martins have the headstock edge sheathed in ivory. This rare example has a handsome contrast of ivory sheathing on a black faced headstock, finished off with pearl inlaid ivory pegs. Like other Martins of the period, this example has the faux Spanish foot and nickel silver nut. This example also has an ivory pyramid style pyramid bridge with the vestigal scooped back.
Body width: 11 7/8"
Upper body width: 8 7/16"
Body length: 18 1/4"
Upper body depth: 3 1/2"
Lower body depth: 4 1/4"
Neck width at nut: 1 7/8"
Neck width at 12th fret: 2 1/4"
Soundhole: 3 5/8"
Scale: 24 1/2"
String spacing at bridge: 2 3/8"
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 1/2" shield shaped Spanish foot
Martin New York Stamp
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