Binding Separation on New(ish) Martin - Page 3

Garrison314 · #31 07-15-2018, 04:17 PM

I have a Taylor with that problem...….glad to hear it's not hard to fix.

jimmy bookout · #32 07-15-2018, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDrake

Wow, I didn't expect this old thread of mine to resurface. Anyway, the follow-up to my situation is good. I did ship the guitar to the nearest Martin certified repair shop, Guitar Tex in San Antonio, Texas. They did a great job, took a couple of weeks and was only out the cost of shipping. The guitar looks fantastic, you can't even tell where the separation was or what was repaired. Back to my original post, the tech who did the work did tell me that he had recently seen a lot of Martin guitars with binding separation issues. I think when I originally called and told him of my problem, he said he currently had 8 Martin guitars with bindings in the shop to fix. I don't know if it is a shrinkage problem with the binding material or a defect with the glue, as Mirwa has suggested, but it did disappoint me. Anyway, the guitar is home now, good as new, and still cherished. No hard feelings.

I'm glad your guitar is fixed. Obviously, Martin STILL makes great guitars and like Wade (from 8 months ago) pointed out, there can be a little of mob mentality bashing Martin and longing for the "good old days".

Unrelated, but I wanted to tell a great story:

Back in the 1970's, we had a great music store (Reliable Music) here in Charlotte. It was a big place (probably 5,000 square feet)...long before GC, Sam Ash, etc...

Anyhow, I was in the luthier's shop in the store and he had a "lawsuit" Takamine that had a crushed top from shipping (I know there was no lawsuit). These Taks had a Martin style headstock with "Takamine and Co" in the gold stylized font like a Martin so 15 feet away, you couldn't tell them apart. Anyhow, the luthier says "Watch this" and walks out of his little shop and onto the main sales floor, and in a LOUD voice screams: "I am SO sick of Martin's poor quality" and El Kabong's the guitar into pieces in front of everyone...you could hear a pin drop and we held it together for about 10 seconds and then lost it...a classic moment.

patmatt · #33 05-28-2019, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDrake

Good Morning everyone. I have a Martin Custom Shop D28 (style) guitar that I purchased last December, 2016. I believe it was actually built in November of 2014 and arrived in the shop where I bought it early in 2015. I am the original owner of the guitar and did register the guitar warranty with Martin. I really love the guitar and have truly enjoyed it. Two weeks ago I was restringing the guitar and noticed the ivoroid binding had separated over a 3 inch length under the lower bout of the guitar. I am not panicked about it, but a little disappointed. The shop that I bought it from is not a Martin warranty repair shop, so I have had to send the guitar out of town to have the work (hopefully covered under warranty) performed. What really caused me to write this post is that in conversation with the guitar tech where the work will be done, he mentioned that Martin has a problem ( to quote him, he actually said "reputation" ) with bindings shrinking and separating. He says he has 7 or 8 Martins in the shop right now with the same problem. I am not trying to rag on Martin, but this is all news to me and I find it disappointing. Has anyone else had the same binding issue happen to them recently? I was also told, by the tech, that Martin has an "allowance" for repairs, and if the repair exceeds that amount, I might be out of pocket for the difference. Really?? I guess I can call Martin and confirm, but I thought I would also mention this, here in the forum.

As an aside, my Martin was one of a custom run that they produced in 2014. It seems like it may be a prototype for the new 2017 D28. It has ivoroid binding (duh), aged toner top, open back tuners, a one piece mahogany neck and scalloped braces, though not forward shifted. I love the guitar. I am a little "peeved" that now all the new D28 look similar. I'll get over it, though, mine is still special, just not as unique.

According to Jerry Page, Martin authorized repair man and guitar genius in New Mexico, the source for Ivoroid binding was closed down a few years ago and Martin had to find a new source. The new plastic bindings are prone to shrinkage. It is not a humidity problem, humidity doesn't affect plastic. I was lucky enough to live close to my repair guy and he turned both of my Martin Custom shop binding repairs around in under a week each. Yes it is a bummer to have to deal with but the overall quality and tone/playability of my Martin Guitars makes up for it every day.

TDavis · #34 05-28-2019, 10:06 AM

I was on the very brink of buying a used Martin CS 0000-18 from an AGF sponsor shop when it was discovered that the binding had come loose on the curvature of the waist of the guitar...and the luthier the shop used said he could fix it but couldn't guarantee it would stay "fixed".

I'm a Martin guy, and support the brand...and on a $100 guitar that might be almost par for the course, but on a $3000 high-end custom shop (especially!) guitar, it's just flat not acceptable.

I've read several accounts of the same sort of binding issues with Martin guitars lately. I hope it's not a trend.

zoopeda · #35 05-28-2019, 10:14 AM

You might head over here to see more examples and, perhaps, commiserate.

https://umgf.com/loose-binding-t198004.html

Shades of Blue · #36 05-28-2019, 10:18 AM

The only guitar I've had binding separation issues with was also a Martin Custom Shop model. A tech told me that the finish is typically thinner on Custom Shop models and it is just more common with thinner finishes. I have no clue if that is true or not.

zoopeda · #37 05-28-2019, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

The only guitar I've had binding separation issues with was also a Martin Custom Shop model. A tech told me that the finish is typically thinner on Custom Shop models and it is just more common with thinner finishes. I have no clue if that is true or not.

Both of those statements are wrong. Custom shop gloss finish is idential to the standard series unless you pay extra and specifically order the Thin Finish Package (not many have this feature). And, two, the finish plays zero role in holding the binding in place. This is purely a problem of trying to use a common glue to adhere to both wood (body) and plastic (binding) in a way that won’t disrupt or disfigure the overlying nitro finish. Most of the guitars on the above mentioned UMGF thread re standard series Martins, and most of the customs do not have the thinner finish. It’s also worth noting the Authentic series has the thinnest finish of all, and I’m not seeing many Authentics listed (although not impossible).

Shades of Blue · #38 05-28-2019, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoopeda

Both of those statements are wrong. Custom shop gloss finish is idential to the standard series unless you pay extra and specifically order the Thin Finish Package (not many have this feature). And, two, the finish plays zero role in holding the binding in place. This is purely a problem of trying to use a common glue to adhere to both wood (body) and plastic (binding) in a way that won’t disrupt or disfigure the overlying nitro finish. Most of the guitars on the above mentioned UMGF thread re standard series Martins, and most of the customs do not have the thinner finish. It’s also worth noting the Authentic series has the thinnest finish of all, and I’m not seeing many Authentics listed (although not impossible).

My 000-28 did have a thinner finish If I remember correctly. Thanks for the input.

rtb1969 · #39 10-22-2020, 09:07 PM

My wife bought this new for my 50th Birthday on 2019. Binding loose in one spot. It's been over 4 months waiting for repair and return. Martin has agreed to cover under Warranty, but I am very disappointed in this happening on a guitar in this price range. It must be a design/choice of material flaw. I love the sound of the guitar, but I am concerned it could happen again....pricey guitar for my level of abilities and I am extremely disappointed to have a new guitar for one year and a third of that time, I've been waiting for repair. If they have a known problem with the Binding, why don't they replace the binding material instead of repairing a problem. Very disappointed in quality......

zoopeda · #40 10-22-2020, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtb1969

My wife bought this new for my 50th Birthday on 2019. Binding loose in one spot. It's been over 4 months waiting for repair and return. Martin has agreed to cover under Warranty, but I am very disappointed in this happening on a guitar in this price range. It must be a design/choice of material flaw. I love the sound of the guitar, but I am concerned it could happen again....pricey guitar for my level of abilities and I am extremely disappointed to have a new guitar for one year and a third of that time, I've been waiting for repair. If they have a known problem with the Binding, why don't they replace the binding material instead of repairing a problem. Very disappointed in quality......

They switched to a different glue for a few years, one that reacts with the binding causing it to shrink over time. Good news is, it’s an easy fix and you can still play the guitar with mild separation while you find an authorized repair guy. (Factory takes forever.). Bad news is, good chance it will happen to the other bindings, although maybe not.

Shaneh · #41 10-23-2020, 01:55 AM

This is a known issue on 2012-2016 martins. They used bad glue and they will eventually suffer from it. I have had 2 myself, gryphon repaired one and the other is still waiting. They told it was a when not an if scenario

Dbone · #42 10-23-2020, 04:58 AM

I’m not trying to put words in the mouths of anyone, but I tend to believe that most purchasers of most products lean in the direction of wanting to feel like they have a quality well put together piece in their hands. I’ll make exceptions for things like the cheap cleaning sponges around my kitchen sink, but short of that sort of thing I personally believe this to be true.

With this said, for a lot of folks it is not “all about the sound”. It is possible to have the sound and the quality. Many manufacturers have proven themselves capable of delivering both.

For myself, that feeling of a quality well put together instrument in my hands is a big part of the overall enjoyment. On this forum we often talk about the importance of owning an instrument that inspires you. How many can honestly say that an instrument falling apart is inspiring?

If you look at the time frame over which Martin has been putting out these instruments with these known problems it is quite ridiculous. I would say the same thing about any manufacturer that chose to knowingly do so, so save me the “you’re bashing Martin” stuff. I’m not bashing Martin. It’s been going on so long now that I’m almost wondering if they don’t need a partner to show them how to do it properly. I mean seriously. We’re talking about a near 10 year period. It’s almost comical at this point unless you own the product.

BudHa · #43 10-23-2020, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtb1969

My wife bought this new for my 50th Birthday on 2019. Binding loose in one spot. It's been over 4 months waiting for repair and return. Martin has agreed to cover under Warranty, but I am very disappointed in this happening on a guitar in this price range. It must be a design/choice of material flaw. I love the sound of the guitar, but I am concerned it could happen again....pricey guitar for my level of abilities and I am extremely disappointed to have a new guitar for one year and a third of that time, I've been waiting for repair. If they have a known problem with the Binding, why don't they replace the binding material instead of repairing a problem. Very disappointed in quality......

I feel your pain. The binding came loose on my 2013 000-28EC a few years ago. It is the most expensive guitar I have ever owned. I was extremely disappointed. It was repaired under warranty but was gone for several months. The repair was performed at local authorized service center. I thought the Martin binding problem had been resolved. I hope you get your guitar back soon.

ApolloPicks · #44 10-23-2020, 05:06 AM

What a bummer. I've had this happen before too on my D-28. It was a pretty easy fix though. It's hard to believe that this even happens. I hope Martin got some new binding glue by now!

Warren01 · #45 10-23-2020, 01:32 PM

I had the same thing happen. If you look at one of the earlier posts from 2017(?). It soured me on the entire Martin experience. It was the most expensive guitar I had ever owned, cost me over $300 to get repaired under warranty-not a simple fix according to the tech. I've since sold it and will never buy another Martin guitar again.