Acoustic Guitar Construction

My ear tells me that a 9 string (no bass octaves) would allow for more defined solo execution. I know it's an acquired taste but I do not like metallic sounding guitars 12 or otherwise. A woody sounding 8 or 9 string is on my to do list. To me this is a compromise which perhaps might yield a more stable lightly brace instrument.

John, Guess a lot comes down to confidence and spare finances.

Hey Francis, don't get me wrong. I was not trying to influence you to do a ladder braced top, just showing how it does not take a lot of bracing in the eyes of some experts. I could not find any relevant examples using the X brace system. In an case, I recognize a strung up 12-string must be treated with respect if one expects it to survive.