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All Thumbs
Aloha
35 Posts |
 Posted - 06/03/2008 : 06:06:11 AM
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I'm not sure if this topic belongs under this subject title, but here goes. I apologize if I should have posted this elsewhere. I have a 1976 Martin D-28 which I've owned for 30 years. I love the guitar and would never get rid of it; however, the strings are getting a bit far from the neck and it is becoming very difficult to use for slack key or fingerstyle guitar. I've been told that I should probably take it in for a neck reset and while I'm at it, have a bone/ivory saddle and nut installed at the same time. Having never done such a thing before, I'm looking for feedback from folks who might have experience with a neck reset and installation of bone/ivory saddles and nuts. I've explored the web and have found some very good information but would still like to hear from anyone who has had this done and what your experience was like.
Thanks up front for any information that folks are willing to share.
All Thumbs
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I have learned that there lies dormant in the souls of all men a penchant for some particular musical instrument, and an unsuspected yearning to learn to play on it, that are bound to wake up and demand attention some day. Therefore, you who rail at such as disturb your slumbers with unsuccessful and demoralizing attempts to subjugate a fiddle, beware! for sooner or later your own time will come.
Mark Twain
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Podagee57
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 06:31:33 AM
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| I had my dad's '47 Martin worked on last year. The work included the neck being reset. It' been great. Also had a new bridge and saddle as well as nut replaced. I did a little fine tuning on my own after I got it back from the luthier...lowered the saddle just a little and filed the string slots in the nut just a little lower. The neck on my guitar was actually loose so the neck reset was a total neccessity. Plays great now. Just ask around to see what luthiers in your area have a worthwhile reputation. |
What? You mean high "E" is the TOP string. No way dude! That changes everything! |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 07:51:28 AM
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I haven't had a neck reset done, but I thought I'd mention that if you are the registered original owner, Martin will perform the neck reset under warranty. As far as the ivory nut and saddle, I am skeptical that you will notice a significant difference by changing out those parts. And will note further that some people prefer bone to ivory, some even prefer micarta to either bone or ivory.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key Guitar in California - www.kaleponi.com
Slack Key on YouTube
Homebrewed Music Blog |
Edited by - Fran Guidry on 06/03/2008 07:52:12 AM |
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noeau
Ha`aha`a
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 07:51:49 AM
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| Find a Martin trained and approved guitar shop or send um back to Martin. Only thing is it takes forever to send um back. So check out all local guitar shops and find the one that seems right for you. Most luthiers per se build guitars and donʻt spend time on repair work unless its their own creations. If they advertise that they repair you might call and see how they sound to you. I think you want good work but also fast. You donʻt want to wait 3 mos to a year for turn around time. The internet lists repair shops in your area probably and you might get on line reviews as well. Good luck. Oh did I say the D28 was one of my favorite models? |
No'eau, eia au he mea pa'ani wale nō. |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 08:07:05 AM
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One of my old Army buds took his Martin to the factory for work several years ago. They gave him a lifetime warranty on the guitar. I don't know a lot of the particulars, but you might want to check with Martin before having it done. I'm a little cautious about who works on my babies, some folks shouln't be allowed to earn a living as guitar techs, but some shlepps do anyway.Word of mouth from friends you trust is the best way to find Qualified techs.
Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2008 : 07:01:28 AM
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| A neck reset is a fairly major repair, not to be undertaken by inexperienced techs. Martin will cover the neck reset if you are the original owner. Be prepared to prove it, either with a receipt or by having registered your warranty card at purchase. If they don't cover it under warranty, it is about a $300-350 repair. Neck resets usually also include a new set-up, since the geometry will have changed for the better. It will make a huge difference in playability. |
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Ben
Lokahi
USA
122 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2008 : 10:37:31 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by All Thumbs
... however, the strings are getting a bit far from the neck and it is becoming very difficult to use for slack key or fingerstyle guitar. I've been told that I should probably take it in for a neck reset ...
I have a '69 D28 that was the same - action way too high - and was also told by a local guy with a reputation for good work that it needed to have the neck reseated. I was going to let him do that, but to make a very long and aggravating story short, he never could seem to get around to my instrument, repeated of promises of getting right at it notwithstanding. Needless to say, he'll get none of my business for any of my instruments.
I went to Martin's web site and found an authorized repair shop about an hour from where I live and told him that I had a D28 that needed its neck reseated. His immediate response was to let him inspect the instrument and decide for himself. He said that reseating a neck is a major deal and something he does only if absolutely necessary.
He found that the neck was fine, but that the loose bridge and worn saddle needed to be replaced and lowered and that the frets were worn and low, as well as discovering loose bracing inside. He is very good and very busy repairing all major vendors' instruments. My repair took just about four months. If you live anywhere near southeastern/south central PA, check out Rob Zwally of Lititz, Lancaster County, PA. You can find his website at stringdoc.com. His work is wonderful and you can take him at his word.
I had forgotten what a wonderful instrument it is because I had been unable to play it for so long. Not only did it chew up my fingertips, but it wouldn't stay in tune with itself much past the 3rd fret. Now it is as good as new; better, Rob thinks.
What Earl and Fran said is true: Martin products are warrantied for life to the original owner, but you gotta be able to prove it. 37+ years of moving between various parts of the world, and my receipt went missing - and being very young and lacking of forethought when I bought it, I had never registered it, so I paid out of pocket.
Hope this helps. |
Mālama pono
Ben |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2008 : 11:12:51 AM
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I recently broke my Martin (accident) and found an authorized repair facility within 80 miles. It was listed on the Martin web site. The price was reasonable and the turn around was estimated at 8-10 weeks. I shipped it UPS and I have about four weeks left. If you use an authorized reapair facility you will retain the full warrantee.
My local luthier did not want me to void the Martin warrantee by using him, unless I insisted. I bet other luthiers will tell you the same thing. |
Bob |
Edited by - RWD on 06/04/2008 11:15:31 AM |
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