View Single Post
  #19  
Old 09-13-2017, 02:15 PM
Howard Klepper Howard Klepper is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Earthly Paradise of Northern California
Posts: 6,633
Default

From the numbers given, if they are accurate:

Neck angle is perfect. You have a tall bridge, and that seems to have been unnecessary. You are measuring 13/32" bridge (wood only) height at the low E, so about 7/16" at the center (which is where bridge height should be measured). Saddle height over the bridge is great. Relief is great.

If you were to bring the action down to what many people consider standard--6/64 and 4/64 (I personally like to set a guitar up to 5/64 and 4/64) you would be taking 1/32 off the saddle at the high E, leaving 1/16" of saddle exposed. That is about as little saddle exposure as you ought to have. But you have about 1/16-3/32" more bridge than is needed. Martin uses 3 different bridge heights to compensate for variation in neck set angle. Your guitar got their tallest one, when it should have gotten the middle one.

The fix is an easy one for any competent tech (these are in shorter supply than they ought to be, so be careful if you get the work done): take the bridge down by about 1/16" and the saddle by about 1/32" (maybe a bit less on the bass side, depending on how you play).

You shouldn't have to do this on a new guitar. You may choose to return it and swap for one with a more ideal setup. But if this guitar speaks to you, it can be made right with bridge and saddle shaving, which are not a big deal. If you have the work done, have it done only by an authorized Martin repair shop (need not be a dealer) to avoid any warranty issues in the future.

I didn't take the time to read all other replies, in case someone already covered all this.
__________________
"Still a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest."
--Paul Simon

Last edited by Howard Klepper; 09-13-2017 at 06:51 PM.
Reply With Quote