Why is my mahogany Martin so fragile?

[niteflyguy]

I have a Martial n J15. Once the side cracked when playing it at a gig (no idea why), twice I cracked the side when it hit (not very hard) furniture when carrying the guitar in the house. Now I'm nervous to even use th darn thing. Is this normal?

[jpd]

no.....must be a lot of other factors to consider!

[M19]

I cracked my Taylor mahogany on a table "not hitting it hard." It's a lightly built guitar and just "delicate" I guess.

[McCawber]

That seems very unusual - I agree with JPD. Martins, Taylors and other fine instruments are very lightly built, but while I've bumped and dinged all of my instruments on occasions, I've never had one crack. That includes my 50 year old D-28.

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by niteflyguy

I have a Martial n J15. Once the side cracked when playing it at a gig (no idea why), twice I cracked the side when it hit (not very hard) furniture when carrying the guitar in the house. Now I'm nervous to even use th darn thing. Is this normal?

Were you sitting down? A rather common thing (as uncommon things go) is called a "key crack" from resting the guitar on your lap with keys or other objects in your pants pockets.

As to bumps, I gave my D-18GE a rather nasty bump on the back of barstool. Other than the ding in the finish there was no other damage.

You do have a case, don't you? Anytime my guitar moves from the house to somewhere else (even the patio) it's in the case, and doesn't come out until it's time to play.

[Kip Carter]

I have a 15 series all hog and not had any issue... but mine is always kept in a moisture rich environment.

[George Henry]

I've seen several 15 series guitars develop small side cracks from slight impacts or seemingly no reason at all. Mahogany can be quite light and fragile, especially some of the stuff that is available nowadays.

[Rosewood99]

I have an OMC-15e built in 2002 that is light as a feather but impervious to dings and scratches.

[Mr. Jelly]

It could be the type of mahogany that is used to build the 15 series. It's not the same as what's used on other hog guitars.

[ChrisE]

Your situation sounds like what when I worked in a bike shop we called JRA or "Just Riding Along" repairs.

As in "I was just riding along and the handlebars broke."

[CT77]

Lack of binding can lead to more dings around the edges - this is typical on 15-series Martins. However, the side cracks you describe don't sound normal, especially the one that happened during a gig for no apparent reason.

[73Fender]

I'm assuming that humidity levels are not a factor? As in a dry guitar and a winter time bump?

[niteflyguy]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

Were you sitting down? A rather common thing (as uncommon things go) is called a "key crack" from resting the guitar on your lap with keys or other objects in your pants pockets.

As to bumps, I gave my D-18GE a rather nasty bump on the back of barstool. Other than the ding in the finish there was no other damage.

You do have a case, don't you? Anytime my guitar moves from the house to somewhere else (even the patio) it's in the case, and doesn't come out until it's time to play.

I was standing and strumming when it cracked..weird. I do have a case, and that's where it is most of the time.

I'm wondering if it was dry..? I do humidify it, though.. if it were, that would make it vulnerable to cracks I assume. It is very light and thin. Sounds fantastic..

[niteflyguy]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

Your situation sounds like what when I worked in a bike shop we called JRA or "Just Riding Along" repairs.

As in "I was just riding along and the handlebars broke."

Yeah! That's it

[niteflyguy]

Originally Posted by 73Fender

I'm assuming that humidity levels are not a factor? As in a dry guitar and a winter time bump?

I sometimes forget to refill the oasis humidifier, but I'm usually "on it."