New Martin NAMM models - VIDEOS

[Waxer]

I found this article on line

These new Martins will appear at the NAMM Show, next week in Anaheim

The change to 2-5/32″ string spacing applies to all models previously spec’d with 2-3/16″ string spacing, in addition to the new models coming out next week that have the High Performance taper.

“…the change is all about moving the E strings in a tiny bit, to further avoid the strings rolling off the fingerboard when a player pulls them too close to the edge of the a fret.” It should have a noticeable effect in terms of feel for the player.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by Waxer

I found this article on line

These new Martins will appear at the NAMM Show, next week in Anaheim

The change to 2-5/32″ string spacing applies to all models previously spec’d with 2-3/16″ string spacing, in addition to the new models coming out next week that have the High Performance taper.

“…the change is all about moving the E strings in a tiny bit, to further avoid the strings rolling off the fingerboard when a player pulls them too close to the edge of the a fret.” It should have a noticeable effect in terms of feel for the player.

Yes, Todd Stuart Phillips posted the info on his website last week, here's the full article:

http://onemanz.com/guitar/martins-2-...ormance-taper/

[drplayer]

Originally Posted by Ted @ LA Guitar Sales

Yes, Todd Stuart Phillips posted the info on his website last week, here's the full article:

http://onemanz.com/guitar/martins-2-...ormance-taper/

Thanks Ted... I love Martin's and have great respect for the company, but I'm not buying this. Seems like they're "solving" a problem that doesn't exist? I've played countless Martins of all shapes & sizes (and I know many on here have played hundreds more than I have), and I never thought to myself, "Gee, I sure wish they'd bump in that high E string." IMO, the string pulling off the fingerboard isn't a design issue, it's a technique issue. They've been just fine for 183-years, so why now?

Regardless, it strikes me as particularly odd for them to incorporate this on the new 17 series guitars--especially the 00 models. CEO-7 has 2-5/16", Waterloo's have 2-3/8", so if the new 17-series guitars were developed in part to compete with these guitars, I think they'll find they got it wrong. Sounds more to me like they may have seen a cost savings in making narrower necks? No skin off my back...I'm not in the market for a new guitar, so it really doesn't matter to me. But if I were looking, this would be a show-stopper...we'll see?

[cmd612]

Originally Posted by Waxer

I found this article on line

These new Martins will appear at the NAMM Show, next week in Anaheim

The change to 2-5/32″ string spacing applies to all models previously spec’d with 2-3/16″ string spacing, in addition to the new models coming out next week that have the High Performance taper.

“…the change is all about moving the E strings in a tiny bit, to further avoid the strings rolling off the fingerboard when a player pulls them too close to the edge of the a fret.” It should have a noticeable effect in terms of feel for the player.

Hmm . . . so it's not just me. I have a guitar w/ modified low oval neck with PA taper and 2-3/16 spacing. When I first got it, I found myself pulling the high e off the fretboard inadvertently, only very occasionally. This wasn't something I'd had a problem with on other guitars (with a variety of necks and spacings).

That said, it was not a big problem, and my solution was to be more careful about what I was doing with my fretting hand.

If there had not been a technique-based solution to the string slipping issue, or if I were looking to replace the guitar for other reasons, I'd give up the PA taper and go with a wider fretboard. (My other main guitar is the same body size, scale length and nut width but has 2-1/4 bridge spacing and is 2-1/4 wide at the 12th fret. I don't find it any more difficult to play high on that neck than I do on the PA taper with its 2-1/8 at the 12th.)

I guess for some, closer string spacing makes sense. Personally, I'm glad Martin decided to go with the 2-5/32 spacing - I'm safe from GAS for now.

[Waxer]

The truth is, I play different string spacing all the time. I still really like the look and specification on the these new 17 series. I bet they strum like butter. Cant wait to try one.

[MaurysMusic]

Originally Posted by JohnW63

I need to get in good with my local music shop, so I can see a NAMM show.

I have heard it is SO noisy that really evaluating a guitar is not feasible.

Alas, this is true. It's a great time and there's nothing like being at a NAMM show - but it's not really the place to evaluate tone.

[Earl49]

It's definitely noisy at NAMM. I've been twice, last time in 2010. At one point I looked over the shoulder of one of the "noise police" guys with his sound level meter. It read 96-98 dBA steadily. I've measured noise in many factories that are considerably quieter - and have been cited by OSHA. Coincidentally, ear plugs are available at registration (not being a newbie I brought my own).

NAMM is a very cool experience - definitely go if you can - but NOT a good place to judge tone. Often it is tough to just have a conversation in the booths. I've often thought they should segregate acoustic instruments from electric instruments and PA systems, but it never seems to work out that way. Good luck trying to judge the subtleties of a high-end acoustic guitar while the next booth is demo'ing the latest Killer Amp dialed up to 11. My most awesome experience: I was asked to demo a guitar / amp in the booth of my host and started playing something fingerstyle. Out of the corner of my eye I caught the name badge of the guy standing in front of me - J. J. Cale. Now THAT made me nervous.

[00-28]

Originally Posted by Waxer
I found this article on line

These new Martins will appear at the NAMM Show, next week in Anaheim

The change to 2-5/32″ string spacing applies to all models previously spec’d with 2-3/16″ string spacing, in addition to the new models coming out next week that have the High Performance taper.

“…the change is all about moving the E strings in a tiny bit, to further avoid the strings rolling off the fingerboard when a player pulls them too close to the edge of the a fret.” It should have a noticeable effect in terms of feel for the player.

Originally Posted by drplayer

.....Sounds more to me like they may have seen a cost savings in making narrower necks?

How does narrowing the string spacing to prevent the strings from slipping off the edge of the neck equate to narrowing the neck to save money?

......Mike

[MaurysMusic]

Originally Posted by Earl49

My most awesome experience: I was asked to demo a guitar / amp in the booth of my host and started playing something fingerstyle. Out of the corner of my eye I caught the name badge of the guy standing in front of me - J. J. Cale. Now THAT made me nervous.

That's awesome. That's NAMM.

[drplayer]

Originally Posted by 00-28

How does narrowing the string spacing to prevent the strings from slipping off the edge of the neck equate to narrowing the neck to save money?

......Mike

Well, if they thought is was really a problem, the only other way to solve it would be to widen the neck, right? Considering they are going to 2-5/32" on all models previously having 2-3/16", as well as many of the new models (some of which would traditionally have at least 2-1/4" wide spacing) it seems it will save material--and consequently money--by going to the narrower profile. It's just my guess, given that the change makes no sense for some of these models. But who knows, maybe they'll sell like hot cakes?

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by drplayer

Thanks Ted... I love Martin's and have great respect for the company, but I'm not buying this. Seems like they're "solving" a problem that doesn't exist?...

Well, I certainly never had any complaints, but I'm sure they get a lot more emails about their guitars than any dealer does.

Originally Posted by JohnW63

...I have heard it is SO noisy that really evaluating a guitar is not feasible.

It can be noisy, especially at the Martin booth which is always packed. But while many manufacturers, like Taylor, actually offer a quiet place to try guitars, in the end we dealers don't go to NAMM to play guitars, we go to conduct business, and bond with folks in the industry, some of whom we only get to see at NAMM.

[MaurysMusic]

Originally Posted by 00-28

How does narrowing the string spacing to prevent the strings from slipping off the edge of the neck equate to narrowing the neck to save money?

......Mike

I was wondering the same thing. I'll have my mitts all over these in 24 hours & let you know if my friends in R&D have any info they're willing to share on the subject.

[OneMansGuitar]

No doubt, it is about the people and the orders. Dealers know their brands and what to expect in terms of quality and style.

The details of a particular model with particularly bracing and particular top wood will be known soon enough. Often in the evenings at NAMM, when those quiet places are found.

I do remember one particular stroll of maybe 7 minutes in length when I saw Dana Bourgeois, Bill Collings, Chris Martin, and then met Laurence Juber for the first time, some 10 minutes before running into TJ Thompson who was out on his own stroll, and after catching up with TJ, running into Lee Sklar and chatting with him at Rick Tuner's booth.

And it was actually pretty easy to hear the acoustic guitars much of the time, except when some nearby booth had an electric guitar demo going on.

But the models I will forever remember as the most impressive were at the Dean guitar display. And I do not mean the guitars, but rather the stunning spokes-models in their skimpy little costumes, including someone who earned my vote for Prettiest Girl in the World. Sigh.

So yeah, it was about the people.

[MaurysMusic]

We' shot some great footage today at Martin, and we've now started uploading some HD videos to our YouTube channel. I've started a new NAMM 2016 Martin Videos thread in the AGF Marketplace for anyone who's interested. Thanks!

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Spent some serious time at the Martin booth at NAMM right after they opened so I had some time with the new models. The finish is the new 17 series is the thinnest of any Martin yes, so the guitars are very responsive. In fact I doubt anyone will complain about the tone, or price point of the 17 series, but since the wood has no filler, the guitars tend to have a very utilitarian look. Some will like this, other wont. I actually didn't notice any issues with the new saddles spacing, so I doubt we will here much about that.

A pleasant surprise for me was the 1 11/16" nut with on the new 000-42 Authentic. Many on the Martin forum complained that the narrower nut was a deal breaker for them, but even though I prefer a 1 3/4" nut, I found the neck quite comfortable.

By far my favorite Martin was a slope shoulder dreadnought custom made for the show. In fact they had over a dozen customs built for the show featuring one off specs not seen before. Nothing like NAMM.