Martin Binding Separating (cost to fix?)

[Zissou Intern]

Originally Posted by Bluenose

I've used super glue to repair my guitar, changed strings, polished my frets and oiled the fretboard so I guess I'm a guitar tech too. Can't wait to tell my Mom.

I’m sure she will be right proud of you!

[K-wey]

Originally Posted by budglo

If you bought used, unfortunately that’s one of the risks . Me personally, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another Martin. A company that stands by their product is not all that common today.

This is not aimed at budglo personally. It's aimed at Martin.

Martin's had this binding problem for about the last ten years - and counting - and to my knowledge has never acknowledged it.

I would not say that's standing by your product. I would say that's ignoring a very well-known and extensively reported manufacturing defect.

Sticking used-Martin buyers with the cost to repair this widespread defect is not standing by your product. It's hiding behind the fine print in the warranty.

I'd never get near a used Martin, knowing the company can and will blow me off for their mistakes that show up after the original owner has moved along.

=K

[Laura1557]

Well, I will say as the new owner of my dad’s ‘91 D16-H that I felt better when I learned Martin has widespread binding issues. My heart fell the second time I took the thing out of its case to tune it and noticed binding separation on the back at the waist, both top and bottom edges. Now I don’t feel so bad and figure we should be able to DIY it.

I think Dad was the second owner and I’m the third. He did play it a fair bit but it’s been in the closet for the past three to four years after his health deteriorated to where he couldn’t pick and sing anymore. It came into my possession three weeks ago after he passed, and I have no intention of parting with it any time soon.

[davidd]

Originally Posted by Laura1557

Well, I will say as the new owner of my dad’s ‘91 D16-H that I felt better when I learned Martin has widespread binding issues. My heart fell the second time I took the thing out of its case to tune it and noticed binding separation on the back at the waist, both top and bottom edges. Now I don’t feel so bad and figure we should be able to DIY it.

I think Dad was the second owner and I’m the third. He did play it a fair bit but it’s been in the closet for the past three to four years after his health deteriorated to where he couldn’t pick and sing anymore. It came into my possession three weeks ago after he passed, and I have no intention of parting with it any time soon.

Also feel good that those are really great guitars. I know, I have a 1990 D16M. It was more to my liking than the 2013 D18 I recently sold.

[Laura1557]

Originally Posted by davidd

Also feel good that those are really great guitars. I know, I have a 1990 D16M. It was more to my liking than the 2013 D18 I recently sold.

Oh yes. Dad scored when he found it secondhand at a dealer in the late 90s. He liked Martin though I think he only ever owned two - one before he started his family and one after we were grown and gone.