Is it me or is my high E too close to the fretboard edge

[agwoodard]

I just purchased a Martin CE11 and it has the same problem. You can look and see that the string guides in the nut are not centered on the neck. They are shifted towards the high e side.

[Whatsisface]

I have had the same problem recently when trying new Martins. When pulling off on the high E string, the string drops off the edge of the fretboard. It's frustrating and has stopped me purchasing a guitar or two I otherwise liked.

[tadol]

You can shift the nut to the left a bit -

[Whatsisface]

Originally Posted by tadol

You can shift the nut to the left a bit -

I guess that or a new nut would do the trick. But why is it Martin doing this? I tried an expensive guitar yesterday, for the price it shouldn't be an issue.

[wevvy]

Over the years I've had a few martins and always had this problem with the high E, which is why I changed to Taylor guitars.
Problem solved

[RoyBoy]

I agree with returning the guitar. You could have a new nut cut with narrower spacing, but that would push the strings closer together at the nut which may be a problem if you don't have small fingers. Also this solution has no effect effect when you get further up the neck.

I would avoid Martins as almost all of them have the MLO neck now, I'm guessing yours has the professional taper which is part of the problem. Sadly, you can't get the Martin tone with a more playable neck until you spend north of $5k.

Full disclosure, I own a D18 with the same neck you're struggling with.

[lowrider]

I didn't read through all the replies, but I'm going to say that it's you, and it's the shape of the neck. You can do one of two things. You can focus on keeping you palm off of the e string or you can say that the guitar isn't for you and return it.

Most Martin Guitars have the same neck. If I were you I'd learn to keep my palm off of the strings and keep the guitar.

[rmp]

this thread is over 2 years old

the original poster returned the guitar in September of 2020

if you read the thread, you'll see what the conclusion was.

[EZYPIKINS]

Originally Posted by wevvy

Over the years I've had a few martins and always had this problem with the high E, which is why I changed to Taylor guitars.
Problem solved

I've got three myself. And it does seem that the string is very close to the edge.

If I am mindful of my play, I can work around it.

Had considered cutting a new nut with my J-185 spacing.

Easier to just be careful.

[Pdubs76]

I noticed the same on my HD28 in the beginning, but have since adapted.

[lowrider]

Yes, it's the shape of the neck. Maybe other guitars don't let you do it, but with there current Martin necks if you get lazy, you can mute the high e.

Of you can pay attention and play cleanly.

[SpruceTop]

Most of my newer Larrivees come with a string spacing that puts both E-strings closer to the edge of the fingerboard. I really like this as it makes thumb-fretting of the E-6th-string easier than when the string is farther inboard which is the more conventional string positioning.

[davidd]

I'm not sure in your case what the issue is but I had the same thing on a Fender '52 reissue. Fender is rolling the frets way too much so it doesn't take much for it to fall off.

[TBman]

My Martin D-16GT is like that. Once I got used to the position of the string problems disappeared.

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by sbGuitarLover

Thanks for all the advice. I measured and my high E is very slightly over 1/16" from the edge of the fingerboard. The low e is in fact 1/8". If I consciously hold my hand away from the neck when I need the open E to ring, it plays ok but doing that gives me hand cramps shortly. If I press against the side of the neck like I always have, it deadens the string. If the guitar wasn't brand new, I'd have them work on it, but since I just got it, I think I will take it back but I'm disappointed because I liked the sound and the triple 0 body, plus I could just afford it. Again thanks for the information and suggestions.

If this is a new guitar Martin might cover this under their warranty. If you like the guitar otherwise, you might ask the seller about this.