The 'three inch rule' for scallop peaks - O'Brien

[Dave Bagwill]

Herman, I just don't know the answer to that. Sorry.

[ken cierp]

Building commissions -- for me --- was one of the most frustrating and pressure packed means of making income. I just don't do any more. But one thing I did learn is that when a request came for a "certain" instrument with specific features, I insisted on an example more specifically I wanted to touch and feel what my final product was going to be compared against. In other words I would try and make a copy. So Herman -- the customer wants a forward shifted "X" -- why? And as you point out by your question shifted to where from where? I just think it makes more sense to have a real sample rather than making plans to build a "ghost" --- $.02

[Herman]

The question was: Did Martin alter the X backwards through the years, on OO's?
I don't think my customer can show me a guitar to copy. And he is sensitive to the "guitarmyths". So also on the issue of forwardbracing.
I for me have no bad experiences in commissions yet. But I do not have to earn money from it. It's hobby. So I can be a pigheaded, bullying builder and do as I see fit. If the customer cannot handle that, so be it. ;-).
In fact I choose the people I build for. And I did turn down a commission twice, because they were too doubtful for my taste.

[ken cierp]

We could start a thread on the "business of guitar making myths" -- after all it is the life blood of the boutique industry.

But anyhow -- I am not absolutely certain but I think that the smaller body 12th fret configuration was never altered and remains the same today.

[Dave Bagwill]

Herman, you can check out the martin guitar bracing library at the umgf. There are plenty of pix and discussions of the changes over time of various models. I think Ken is right about the 00's staying constant at the x position.

[Herman]

Thanks boys for that conformation.

[Dave Bagwill]

Here is the link to the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum - the 'bracing library' - lots of pix from inside the guitars, plenty of specs and other goodies as well. The first few pages are taken from outside the guitars with a light inside to reveal the bracing patterns.
Seems like Martin has tried just about everything over the years, and it's interesting to see the workmanship via the camera inside the body.

http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.y ... XR_klIwCfy