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Gallery

19th Century Martin & Coupa

Kovacik Guitars recently performed some repairs to two instruments that are in the collection of CF Martin & Co. in Nazareth, PA. The guitar in these pictures is a Martin & Coupa size 3 guitar with a Stauffer style headstock. The Stauffer headstock is a holdover of european design that appears on some Martin guitars in the early to mid 19th century. This particular example is quite early, estimated to have been built in 1834-35. The interior label reads "Martin & Coupa Guitar Manufaturers 385 Broadway, New York". The guitar shows several aspects of early design and construction, including a broad, flat spruce brace that sits beneath the neck block, solid glue block lining, and a bridge with a flat facet or 'step' at the back edge (see pics). The guitar features rosewood back and sides, spruce top, an ebonized neck, fan bracing, herringbone rosette, and 'rope' style top purfling. The guitar arrived in the shop needing the top completely refinished and the back/side finish overpolished and refined.  The top was refinished using french polish applied shellac. The guitar can now be seen on display at the museum at the CF Martin & Co. factory.