Question for Martin X Series Owners

[ohiopicker]

Have any of you experienced neck warp or a general rise in the action? After not playing mine for three or four months, I notice that the action is at about 8/64 at the 12th fret. The last time I played I recall it was very comfortable when playing in the upper register. Thought it might need a truss rod adjustment so I tightened a quarter turn, but there was no change at all. Even the spacing at the 7th fret is hardly changed. A straight edge measurement shows the ruler hits at about an eighth of an inch below the top of the bridge.

Can these stratabond necks move or warp? Covered under Martin warranty? I am the original owner. Thanks for your help.

[guit3090]

Can you adjust the neck?

[ManyMartinMan]

Unless you see a specific reason to alter neck relief, you don't adjust string height by adjusting the neck. I would take it to your tech and have a good set up done. He/she will report back on the way it was when it came to him. If the action has risen something has changed so I would have it evaluated.

[AsianGuy]

I don't know if it helps, but I have a little martin, which has the same neck as your x series. Do you keep track of both your relief and action distances? I note both values when doing measurements. Both values changes during the course of the year, which is directly related to time of the year. I imagine it's a result of temp/humidity. Once it's honed in, my relief doesn't change more than .003". My action however can change as much as .012". I believe this is related to the change in moisture in the top and bracing which allows for more (or less) flexability.

[ohiopicker]

AL good points. Unfortunately, I did not note the measurements the last time a set up was done. Since the guitar has not been played for four months or so, and we are coming out of winter, I am going to give it several days out of tHe gig bag to get some humidity (though I do not notice any difference in the top). Then I will probably take it to a Martin dealer for evaluation.

I am just surprised by the change, given the fact I thought the Stratabond neck was more stable than a solid wood neck.

Thanks to all for your insight!

[ohiopicker]

Originally Posted by guit3090

Can you adjust the neck?

The neck is mortise and tendon and is not adjustable.

[stephenT]

Originally Posted by ohiopicker

I am just surprised by the change, given the fact I thought the Stratabond neck was more stable than a solid wood neck.

I've owned a Martin Cowboy II since new, it's mainly a wall hanger now. It was stable for years but eventually got a bit of a bow. Fixed by a truss rod adjustment. You may want to give yours another try, you might have just taken up slack on your first attempt.

Stratabond is wood, humidity will effect it somewhat.

[madhat]

I've had a 00LX1AE for about two months I guess. Surprisingly good this guitar is!
It has been very consistent in playability- but no real huge swings in temp/humidity in my home though....

You neck should have an adjustable truss rod? Anyhoo- maybe take it in for a setup? Good luck gettin'er figured out.

madhat.

[Narsil]

Stratabond is wood-based, but is generally incredibly resistant to humidity. The resin used to bond the wood fibres together and form the "outer layer" typically is very good a repelling stuff.

When used in rifle-stocks, it easily endures dramatic changes in the elements, with little to no change that would affect the accuracy of the rifle. Changes that usually cause problems with traditional solid wood stocks. ( I've owned a few through the years, and can attest to how rugged they are, even going from a warm car to -20 Celsius, and back. )

I suppose that humidity swings could have made your Stratabond neck move, but I would also keep looking for other reasons. That neck should be pretty darn resistant to it.

I do recall reading that the spruce topped X-series can be slightly more vulnerable to humidity changes, given that the HPL back and sides will NOT move at all, and thus don't "give" at all with the changes in the spruce top. Not saying this is your situation, just wanted to pass it along as more food for thought.

Hope you get it figured out.

[TwoMartinMan]

The issue may be that the top is bellying up at the bridge. Those Stratabond necks are extremely stable as a rule. I had several X series Martins pass through my hands and I've seen more than one with a bellying problem, although they usually occurred on the models with tops made from HPL, not spruce.
Also, lay your straight edge (ruler) down the center of the fretboard starting it up against the nut. See how much daylight is visible under the 7th or 8th fret, if any. Use an 18" or 2' ruler if you can. That will tell you if you have the proper amount of relief in the neck and if the truss rod is adjusted properly. You don't need much.

[ohiopicker]

The bellying in the top is almost imperceptible. In checking the neck, the relief is .012 at the 7th fret. I took about 2mm off the bottom of the saddle and this provided some improvement in the 12th fret relief and playability. When using the ruler placed on the neck and extended to the bridge, it now meets almost at the top of the bridge (1/16th below), which is close to spec. I can live with this for a while.

[Stratmanup]

Good question !! I am also in Ohio, I've had my 000X1 for 14 years and occasionally had a problem, like yourself, that fixed itself in a few weeks. I have 6 Martins, but this is the only Stratabond neck. For the first it is completely unplayable. In the past it would only be high E and B on the first 3 frets. Now all strings to the 7th fret. Would like it fixed, once and for all. It never occurred to me it could be a problem with the neck material.

Martin Bellezza Nera 2005
Martin Bellezza Bianca 2006
Martin 000-28EC 2004
Martin 000-28EC Sunburst 1997
Martin SWOMGT 2009
Martin 000X1 2004

[thomasinaz]

I had a 12 string D12X? for about 15 years. When not being used it was kept in an aftermarket case and everything stayed very consistent. I kept it tuned down 1/2 step, it was a good player and nice to have around when the 12 string urge kicked in. Wish I never traded it in on a "better" guitar...

[Shadowfox]

It all depends. If you have 1 series, the Humidity can certainly make a difference on the top. I know that When I accidentally dropped mine off a chair and had to get the back fixed, the action came back far superior. It might just be due for a good set up and fretboard cleaning!

[blakey]

I had a DCX1E with a stratabond neck for years and it never moved at all. More stable than wood imo. Perhaps it's just the top bellying.