Martin binding pulling away - Page 3

rokdog49 · #31 03-17-2019, 12:43 PM

There is no question that materials used and other conditions can play a role in the binding issues where this type of construction is being employed. If this type of construction and finish assembly has been known to be a contributing factor, why hasn't it been re-imagined?

You don't hear of these kinds of problems with other brands because they don't do the binding thing this way.
The binding on my D18 isn't coming loose but it isn't flush where the wood and plastic meet. Why is that kind of plastic used anyway? This is a legitimate beef on a $2000 guitar.It's an issue that should have been put to bed a long time ago and yet the guitar is still being assembled the same way apparently with the same materials.
I love my D18, but not so blindly that I will just accept a known problem and write it off casually as some are doing here.
If there were another name on the head stock, woo-boy, the fur would fly.

Condition1 · #32 03-17-2019, 12:51 PM

Agree, very concerned and my brand new DC-18e was not completely "fit" on the bottom. I could run my nail through it...went to GC and replaced with a DC-18e ambertone which looks 100%...this was before I even heard of it.

Really unpleasant...sorry, but this was the first, and last for now, Martin.

rokdog49 · #33 03-17-2019, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

When you get two dissimilar materials joined together, one can stretch, shrink or deteriorate at a different rate than the other. With bi-metals, it's common practice so they will bend and perform a function. With guitar bindings it is not supposed to happen, of course, but a bad batch of plastics or glue and it does. It may not be a Martin, Taylor or any mfr's. problem but the supplier of the glue or plastic binding. So I wouldn't be too quick to blame the guitar manufacturer.

I respectfully disagree. When a part on a Honda goes bad, even a cosmetic part, Honda gets blamed. It's part of the whole QC picture.
It's Honda's job to make sure it doesn't happen in the first place.

bizango1 · #34 03-17-2019, 01:37 PM

My CEO-7's binding became separated at the waist. Easy fix by my local luthier bec the finish was not affected. None of the other Martins I've owned have had this issue.

zoopeda · #35 03-17-2019, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryM

common problem on Martin their QC has slipped as of late!

It’s not a QC issue in the sense that it was missed at the factory. This is something that happens over years as the binding shrinks.

And to those who said it’s any easy fix, contrair! The neck gets removed, they shimmy the binding from the neck area, reglue, reattach the neck, then spot refinish along the binding. Usually they eventually have to do all four strips!

jweave69 · #36 03-17-2019, 07:01 PM

I've never voiced it to anyone, but this is the one thing that bugs me about Martins. I've had two Larrivees for a total of about 14 years and never saw an issue with the binding, and besides, the maple looks nice! It's not going to stop be from trying the reimagined D28 when I get the chance, but it would be nice to see Martin try something different with the bindings on their standard series.

Arch Stanton · #37 03-17-2019, 08:38 PM

Hmmm, so whats optimal humidification...40%? Maybe i should put my sound hole humidifier in every other day, or just a couple days a week?

jweave69 · #38 03-17-2019, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

Hmmm, so whats optimal humidification...40%? Maybe i should put my sound hole humidifier in every other day, or just a couple days a week?

The Larrivee website says 42%-55%. I would say check with your guitar manufacturer to get the specifics...

Arch Stanton · #39 03-18-2019, 06:33 AM

I will, but they always say..i believe 50%, but will check anyway. Sweetwater sent me this shortly after purchasing my Martin OM-28.

https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare...etcare-1742976

Arch Stanton · #40 03-18-2019, 06:54 AM

Correction: 50% is good for humans. 40-45% is good for acoustic guitars. My house is always around that range without doing anything. Of course come June-July the RH rises.

Warren01 · #41 03-18-2019, 01:57 PM

Had this happen to my 2015 OM-35. Had it repaired under warranty, but it was expensive to ship back and forth to the authorized dealer.

Arch Stanton · #42 03-18-2019, 02:38 PM

This humidistat was at the top of the case. The humidifier was in the sound hole. Drat! Too much humidity, moving to Utah! Lol..Granted its only a cheap analog humidistat, but still...

vintageom · #43 03-18-2019, 03:04 PM

A friend's Martin D-42 (2012) had the waist binding pop loose, top and bottom. It seems the grained ivoroid binding shrinks by off-gassing and if the glue bond is not strong enough, it will separate.

I do not know if Martin is going more to "Antique White" (aka White Boltaron) binding instead of Grained Ivoroid has anything to do with the separation problem.

jjrpilot · #44 03-18-2019, 03:34 PM

Yet Gibson gets raked over the coals with QC... eeesh

rileyrg · #45 02-08-2023, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyRacc00n

Does anyone know if Martin dealt with this issue in their production since this was reported to be a common occurrence?

My understanding is that this can happen to the tortoise binding due to shrinkage. And it was (is?) an issue with the material that was used during certain years.

This is a picture of a D18 and I am wondering if this was a problem only for style 18's or if could happen to other styles? I have D21 Special and wondering if it might also be prone to this.

Happening with my 2014 D18 in exactly that place. Gah.