Should I be concerned?

[jajafofo]

Just picked up an 05 00-18V. Action is a little high as you go up the neck, but not major and I haven’t done a setup on the guitar at all yet. My concern is the neck joint. There’s a slight gap at the end of the heel, as pictured. I can get a small piece of receipt in there but nothing any thicker. Also, around the bottom of the bridge, there is a slight gap on the corners. The neck angle seems possibly within reason (a 12 inch ruler hits right on the bridge just as it slopes to the saddle - should I get a longer ruler though?).



I’ve read that these are possibly all normal for Martins. I’ve also read where people have said they needed a neck reset. I should probably take it in to a tech, but I’m planning on letting it acclimate in a properly humidified environment to see if that alleviates any of the issues since I’m leaving for vacation day after tomorrow for a week. I’ve spoken with the seller, but the neck gap is a new discovery I hadn’t noticed before.

Anyway, should I be concerned? I paid less than what they are currently going for, but none of this was disclosed in the ad.

[jajafofo]

Geez, sorry for the huge pic!

[Scootch]

I am not a luthier, but I would make a mark on that piece of paper and remeasure every few weeks. If it gets worse you'll need a saddle reglue.

If the guitar was under warranty I'd take it in now.

[jajafofo]

Here’s another pic. Is this normal?

[jajafofo]

A crisp dollar bill will slide in with a little force.

[Athens]

Nope, not acceptable. Time to return it.

[Scootch]

On seeing the second hour, I’d take it in, or return it.

If it blows under pressure, a lot of top might be ruined. A Luthier can cleanly remove the saddle and reglue for $2-250.

[guitar george]

Originally Posted by jajafofo

Just picked up an 05 00-18V. Action is a little high as you go up the neck, but not major and I haven’t done a setup on the guitar at all yet. My concern is the neck joint. There’s a slight gap at the end of the heel, as pictured. I can get a small piece of receipt in there but nothing any thicker. Also, around the bottom of the bridge, there is a slight gap on the corners. The neck angle seems possibly within reason (a 12 inch ruler hits right on the bridge just as it slopes to the saddle - should I get a longer ruler though?).

I’ve read that these are possibly all normal for Martins. I’ve also read where people have said they needed a neck reset. I should probably take it in to a tech, but I’m planning on letting it acclimate in a properly humidified environment to see if that alleviates any of the issues since I’m leaving for vacation day after tomorrow for a week. I’ve spoken with the seller, but the neck gap is a new discovery I hadn’t noticed before.

Anyway, should I be concerned? I paid less than what they are currently going for, but none of this was disclosed in the ad.

Here is your picture reduced:

9MsJva0 Reduced.jpg

[Basalt Beach]

Yes you should be concerned. I had the same issue several years ago and it was covered under the warranty. I sent in a similar picture to the guitar maker. Roundtrip shipping would have cost $150 and the guitar would be gone for nearly two weeks. A local luthier tech, who was well known repaired it for $25 and I picked it up the next day.

[NotALuth]

Yes, you should be concerned. You’ve got a neck separating from the body and a bridge that’s lifting at the corners. It doesn’t matter what kind of setup you do on it the action is only going to get worse unless these problems are addressed.

If you can return the guitar and get a full refund then that is what I would do.

Yes, the problems can be fixed, but presumably the price you paid was for what you believed to be an instrument in a condition that didn’t require repair!