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  #1  
Old 05-24-2020, 12:33 PM
barth1234 barth1234 is offline
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Default Tiny gap heel-neck and body OM-42 Martin

Hello all,

Just checked my Marin OM-42 and see there is a tiny gap or place where is no glue? between de neck and body (see pictures).

Is this structurally ok?

Kind regards

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  #2  
Old 05-24-2020, 01:23 PM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
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As in your other thread on the same subject, https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...=581851&page=2, as long as the neck doesn't move in its attachment, it is cosmetic.

Here is a video by Robbie O'Brien that shows one method of making a bolt-on mortise and tenon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzlZvDyKnPI


Note that any deviation from flatness of guitar sides, guitar top and/or tenon shoulders will result in a gap between the neck and the body. The gap is cosmetic and does not compromise the joint.
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  #3  
Old 05-24-2020, 01:33 PM
barth1234 barth1234 is offline
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Hello Charles,

Thanks for your message:

This is my OM-42. I decided to check that one due to the guitar from the other post.

This one has the dovetail.
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  #4  
Old 05-24-2020, 02:06 PM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by barth1234 View Post
This one has the dovetail.
Same basic principles, dovetail, mortise and tenon or butt joint.
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  #5  
Old 05-24-2020, 03:02 PM
H165 H165 is offline
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Looks like a not-so-clean set or reset to me. I like a clean, solid joint with no gap in the mating surfaces. That part of the dovtail joint is not normally glued at the factory, so, if there's glue in the rest of the joint, it appears to be a marginal reset.
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  #6  
Old 05-24-2020, 03:26 PM
barth1234 barth1234 is offline
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It is a new guitar.

Got a tip that my so called glue might be polishing compound. Tomorrow I’ll check if I can take it off.
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  #7  
Old 05-24-2020, 03:33 PM
Quickstep192 Quickstep192 is offline
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I think if it were me, I wouldn’t do anything that would risk voiding the warranty. I’d take it to a Martin Authorized Repair center and let them have a look. I’d expect a new Martin in that price range to be perfect. Even if it doesn’t affect structural integrity, it would bug me; especially if it’s on the bass side where you can see it every time you play.
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  #8  
Old 05-24-2020, 06:59 PM
nikpearson nikpearson is offline
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Default Certainly worth trying to clean up...

Might be polishing compound which you can safely clean up with alcohol, naphtha, or even just water on a cotton bud or cloth. If it won’t clean up then it’s most likely glue or lacquer. It does look a little untidy and not something I’d expect on an expensive instrument.
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Old 05-24-2020, 08:05 PM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
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Looking at the photos on a desktop computer (larger)...

If one is going to be that picky about small cosmetic details - and I'm not saying that one shouldn't - the purfling on the heel cap doesn't line up with that on the body and the seam in the body binding at the heel is pretty visible. It doesn't represent the pinnacle of workmanship.

It is a question of expectation.
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  #10  
Old 05-24-2020, 11:44 PM
barth1234 barth1234 is offline
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I don’t want tobbe picky. I don’t care how it looks. I just want to know for sure if it’s ok?
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  #11  
Old 05-24-2020, 11:53 PM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
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What does it take for you to know for sure?
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  #12  
Old 05-25-2020, 02:18 AM
barth1234 barth1234 is offline
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Good advise from knowledgable people.

I can ask the seller: but I don't know if I get the most honest answer.

Maybe you are a luthier? If so, I would happily take your advise that it's a solid neck joint. I don't care about the looks.

I've had Collings en Santa Cruz guitars. They don't have these things. Then again I chose the Martin above them because of looks, feel and tone.

So when I am happy? If some with the right knowledge can say this joint is ok.
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  #13  
Old 05-25-2020, 02:41 AM
mirwa mirwa is offline
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Yes charles is a lutheir .

The only true way of knowing if that joint is stable is having a local luthier look it over for you, we, here on the internet, can give you an opinion based on an image on a computer screen with your descriptive.

Steve
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  #14  
Old 05-25-2020, 03:49 AM
barth1234 barth1234 is offline
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Hello Steve,

Thnx for the reply.

If you would have the guitar in your hands what would you do to check it?

FYI: Neck angle is good. Action is great and plenty saddle left.
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  #15  
Old 05-25-2020, 04:59 AM
MC5C MC5C is offline
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There is normally no glue on the cheeks of a neck joint, no matter what style - dovetail, bolted or otherwise. If a dovetail, there is glue on the cheeks of the tenon only. I would say your neck joint is fine, no need to worry, but only time will tell. Ignore it until it calls out to your for some love...
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