Welcome to Christian Francis Xavier Guitars.
Each guitar is made by hand without using prefabricated parts, for the simple fact that I enjoy every aspect of making the instrument. Using solid hardwoods, I love the process of transforming raw materials into a unique and expressive form. The process of making a guitar motivates me to develop a precise and efficient craft. In turn, by embracing this rigorous practice, I hope to make expressive and soulful guitars made in the Spanish tradition.
La Rizoluzione, Op148. M. Giuliani. Performed by Alejandro Cote.
Guitarist Alejandro Cote performs on a CFX classical spruce top guitar with rosewood back and sides.
How the Guitar is Made
The sound boards are made using European Spruce or Western Red Cedar. The back and sides can be made with a variety of hardwoods, traditionally Rosewoods from India and South America. The neck is carved from Spanish Mahogany and is reinforced with a carbon fiber rods to give extra stiffness without adding more weight.
Examples of a “rope” tile for a flamenco guitar (above) and a rosette based on Ignacio Fleta’s design (below) for a classical cedar top guitar.
The Rosette
The rosette is a special part of the guitar that celebrates the beauty and aesthetic traditions of the guitar. Using wood veneer, the entire rosette is made by hand. Not only does the rosette support the sound hole, it is the strongest decorative element on the guitar. The rosette gives the individual guitar its 'face' and is the luthier’s unique decorative mark.
A short video deonstrating the processes of making the rosette tiles.
The guitars are finished using traditional French polish - thin multiple coats of hand applied shellac that protects and enhances the surface of the guitar as it focused the sound of the guitar. French polish is very labor intensive but it is the most beautiful finish. It does not dampen the resonance of the guitar nor will it separate from the guitar due to variances in temperature. It is easy to repair and with care, will deepen in color and age with grace.
