Nice of Martin, but what a shame

Slothead56 · #1 03-26-2019, 08:28 AM

I often fly out of Harrisburg International Airport in Central Pennsylvania. They have a Pennsylvania shop selling all manner of local items...clothing, food products, books, souvenirs.

For years they’ve had a very nice Martin guitar on display noting it a non sale item donated by CF Martin. Not sure of the model-it appears to be an OM or OOO, 12 fret with slothead, no pickguard and looks to be rosewood.

Noticed this morning a healthy crack in the top. Not along the seam but running from the bridge to the binding. Not surprising given that the instrument has been on display for 10 or 15 years in an airport gift shop

Nice that Martin would donate it as an example of Pennsylvania manufacturing but a shame that a nice guitar like that is developing some serious serious issues.

RagtopGT · #2 03-26-2019, 08:50 AM

It couldn't hurt contacting Martin and tell them what you saw. A letter would probably be best. They may want to donate another guitar temporarily while the original is being repaired.

#3 03-26-2019, 08:51 AM

Maybe the crack is why they donated it?

rokdog49 · #4 03-26-2019, 08:58 AM

I'll take it and get it fixed. Then I'll display it in my guitar room.

#5 03-26-2019, 09:24 AM

I'm sure they received a Martin Care and Feeding guide when they got the guitar and the humidity maintenance instructions were forgotten over time or completely ignored in the first place. It's not up to Martin to maintain it.

Slothead56 · #6 03-26-2019, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Doug

I'm sure they received a Martin Care and Feeding guide when they got the guitar and the humidity maintenance instructions were forgotten over time or completely ignored in the first place. It's not up to Martin to maintain it.

This guitar has been sitting in a high shelf in a gift shop for years. I would have no expectation that anyone in the shop would read nor adhere to any Care and Feeding guide. Not suggesting that Martin should maintain it, merely that it’s a shame to see a fine quality instrument develop issues.

Hooray for Martin for being proud of their Pennsylvania heritage...as am I!

Slothead56 · #7 03-26-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagtopGT

It couldn't hurt contacting Martin and tell them what you saw. A letter would probably be best. They may want to donate another guitar temporarily while the original is being repaired.

This is a very good idea. I’ll let them know!

varmonter · #8 03-26-2019, 10:12 AM

There is a cheap acoustic hanging on the wall
in a local pub. Hanging right over the pellet stove

I havnt noticed any changes in the top in the 3-4 years
ive been playing there. amazing actually...as i would
expect it to be in peices by now.

#9 03-26-2019, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slothead56

This guitar has been sitting in a high shelf in a gift shop for years. I would have no expectation that anyone in the shop would read nor adhere to any Care and Feeding guide. Not suggesting that Martin should maintain it, merely that it’s a shame to see a fine quality instrument develop issues.

What I'm saying is that as long as no one is maintaining the humidity in there any solid wood Martin they have on display will have issues.

RagtopGT · #10 03-26-2019, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Doug

It's not up to Martin to maintain it.

I agree, but a cracked guitar (no doubt due to neglect), built by the local maker of one of the world's finest guitars, is still bad optics.

#11 03-26-2019, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagtopGT

I agree, but a cracked guitar (no doubt due to neglect), built by the local maker of one of the world's finest guitars, is still bad optics.

That's for sure.

jimcaleca · #12 03-26-2019, 11:10 AM

I noticed the same at the Lehigh Valley Int. airport. Their display guitar is cracked. They also have guitars displayed at the pizza place across from the factory that have major humidity issues, so I'm thinking they don't mind, but they should....

guitararmy · #13 03-26-2019, 12:08 PM

Maybe they should swap them out for some HPL models with artwork on the top. And a stratobond neck!

#14 03-26-2019, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitararmy

Maybe they should swap them out for some HPL models with artwork on the top. And a stratobond neck!

That's pretty much what I was thinking. No point displaying solid wood guitars in a neglectful environment. It just looks bad on Martin even though it's not 100% their fault IMHO.

619TF · #15 03-26-2019, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Doug

That's pretty much what I was thinking. No point displaying solid wood guitars in a neglectful environment. It just looks bad on Martin even though it's not 100% their fault IMHO.

I disagree. It doesn't look bad on Martin. It looks bad on the shop owner and the airport. You can't hold Martin responsible (for a non-manufacturer defect condition) once their product leaves the shop...and nobody reasonably would.