Hey C.F. Martin & Co.! Watch where you stick that thing!

[martingitdave]

I took possession of a new Martin guitar with factory installed Fishman Aura VT Enhance system. There were a number of weird sound issues with the the guitar, so I was offered an exchange.

The new guitar looked very nice but had similar issues when played loudly. Not wanting to experience the exchange process again, I investigated.

It appears that whoever is now installing the factory electronics at Martin is sticking the cable clips to the top kerfing allowing the wires to touch the top. This of course makes the guitar sound like a snare drum when played hard. I spent 30 minutes taking the cable clips out, applying new double stick tape to them, and rerouting the cables below the kerfing along the side of the guitar. No more snare drum.

Martin, you better watch where you stick those things. You’re about to get a bunch of acoustic/electric returns for a silly avoidable problem. Not everyone has the supplies, or inclination, to fix it themselves.

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

I took possession of a new Martin guitar with factory installed Fishman Aura VT Enhance system. There were a number of weird sound issues with the the guitar, so I was offered an exchange.

The new guitar looked very nice but had similar issues when played loudly. Not wanting to experience the exchange process again, I investigated.

It appears that whoever is now installing the factory electronics at Martin is sticking the cable clips to the top kerfing allowing the wires to touch the top. This of course makes the guitar sound like a snare drum when played hard. I spent 30 minutes taking the cable clips out, applying new double stick tape to them, and rerouting the cables below the kerfing along the side of the guitar. No more snare drum.

Martin, you better watch where you stick those things. You’re about to get a bunch of acoustic/electric returns for a silly avoidable problem. Not everyone has the supplies, or inclination, to fix it themselves.

Boy...

That sure seems like a total "rookie" mistake for the crew at CFM...both in the installation and the QC of the installation.

This is likely going to piss off more than a few new, and returning Martin customers...and be a potential real headache for dealers, if it is more than just a weird one off problem with your particular guitar.

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

I took possession of a new Martin guitar with factory installed Fishman Aura VT Enhance system. There were a number of weird sound issues with the the guitar, so I was offered an exchange.

The new guitar looked very nice but had similar issues when played loudly. Not wanting to experience the exchange process again, I investigated.

It appears that whoever is now installing the factory electronics at Martin is sticking the cable clips to the top kerfing allowing the wires to touch the top. This of course makes the guitar sound like a snare drum when played hard. I spent 30 minutes taking the cable clips out, applying new double stick tape to them, and rerouting the cables below the kerfing along the side of the guitar. No more snare drum.

Martin, you better watch where you stick those things. You’re about to get a bunch of acoustic/electric returns for a silly avoidable problem. Not everyone has the supplies, or inclination, to fix it themselves.

Have you contacted Martin to let them know about the issue and the solution? They may not be aware of the problem, and it could be one new person causing the issue.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

Have you contacted Martin to let them know about the issue and the solution? They may not be aware of the problem, and it could be one new person causing the issue.

No, I haven’t contacted them. But, I should probably call Monday.