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Started By
Message
new set up for a well used guitar
Posted on 3/2/21 at 7:25 pm
Posted on 3/2/21 at 7:25 pm
So we're clear, I can't make 2 trips to Baton Rouge for TheFretShack to do this. I wish I could but I can't.
That being said, I bought my D-18 new and never had it "set up", just relied on Martin's skill and Plek machine. It's played well for a few years, but now I see a lot of fret wear on 1-4 (I play a lot of cowboy chords and bluegrass) and am getting some buzzing. I had a Breedlove previously which a guy in Covington did a fret crowning, etc, and it played much better afterwards.
I'm bringing it over to him to dress the frets and do basically a new guitar "set up". Is there anything I need to ask for when I drop it off? Anything Martin specific? Are there action issues I should talk to him about?
I'm just nervous, the Breedlove was nice but it was a dream come true when I bought my D-18.
That being said, I bought my D-18 new and never had it "set up", just relied on Martin's skill and Plek machine. It's played well for a few years, but now I see a lot of fret wear on 1-4 (I play a lot of cowboy chords and bluegrass) and am getting some buzzing. I had a Breedlove previously which a guy in Covington did a fret crowning, etc, and it played much better afterwards.
I'm bringing it over to him to dress the frets and do basically a new guitar "set up". Is there anything I need to ask for when I drop it off? Anything Martin specific? Are there action issues I should talk to him about?
I'm just nervous, the Breedlove was nice but it was a dream come true when I bought my D-18.
2
Posted on 3/2/21 at 8:36 pm to TheCurmudgeon
Just tell him how you like the action. He should be able to tell you what he needs to do. Just curious though, did you try adjusting the truss rod yourself at all?
Posted on 3/3/21 at 5:40 am to auggie
D18s don't have a truss rod.
Posted on 3/3/21 at 6:34 am to mingoswamp
quote:
D18s don't have a truss rod.
well, skip that step then. Have to do some actual work on it.
Posted on 3/3/21 at 6:46 am to mingoswamp
quote:IE: adjustable truss rod... As in the earliest didn't have one at all and then sometime along the way (70's perhaps) a non-adjustable was added.
D18s don't have a truss rod
Anyone know if this has now changed?
Posted on 3/3/21 at 7:35 am to awestruck
Look inside the soundhole for a small hole about the diameter of a Sharpie through a soundboard brace under the fingerboard. That is the truss rod access point if your Martin has one. A reputable tech experienced with Martin will know this. He should also have a special tool to access it.
The transition year for Martin putting truss tods in most all their builds was 1985. Your SN will tell you what year your Martin was made.
FYI for all y'all ... I often make "work while you wait" arrangements for clients who drive a long way to save them a second trip. I did that last week for a client who came in from Mississippi. And stuff ships here from all over. So far this month, repair and upgrade arrivals shippped from Texas, North Carolina and Virginia.
The transition year for Martin putting truss tods in most all their builds was 1985. Your SN will tell you what year your Martin was made.
FYI for all y'all ... I often make "work while you wait" arrangements for clients who drive a long way to save them a second trip. I did that last week for a client who came in from Mississippi. And stuff ships here from all over. So far this month, repair and upgrade arrivals shippped from Texas, North Carolina and Virginia.
Posted on 3/3/21 at 7:55 am to TheFretShack
That " work while you wait" thing is pretty helpful. Not many shops are willing to do that. Maybe the OP is a candidate for that, if it's some quick fix stuff. 
Posted on 3/3/21 at 8:08 am to auggie
To be clear, "work while you wait" doesn't mean I work while you watch. My insurance carrier strictly prohibits that. You drop off and leave, I begin work immediately, you return when the work is completed in an hour or two or whatever.
I am located on one of the busiest commercial strips in Baton Rouge, there is a variety of good shopping and good eating to keep a client and whoever else made the trip occupied for a couple hours while I'm doing my thing.
I am located on one of the busiest commercial strips in Baton Rouge, there is a variety of good shopping and good eating to keep a client and whoever else made the trip occupied for a couple hours while I'm doing my thing.
Posted on 3/3/21 at 8:15 am to TheFretShack
I always liked the signs at the old mechanic or welding shops: Labor rates: $50 per hour. $75 per hour if you watch.$100 per hour if you help.
Posted on 3/3/21 at 10:28 am to TheFretShack
This is why this board is so great.
I saw Jeff's post about "work while you wait", so I called him. Now I have an appointment to run over there so he can give the guitar a work over, and I get it back a few hours later.
Thanks, and I'm looking forward to seeing the Fret Shack in real life.
I saw Jeff's post about "work while you wait", so I called him. Now I have an appointment to run over there so he can give the guitar a work over, and I get it back a few hours later.
Thanks, and I'm looking forward to seeing the Fret Shack in real life.
Posted on 3/4/21 at 11:26 am to TheFretShack
quote:
My insurance carrier strictly prohibits that. You drop off and leave, I begin work immediately, you return when the work is completed in an hour or two or whatever.
I wonder why an insurance carrier would restrict this in a guitar shop. Do they have multiple cases of guitars getting away from the Luthier and injuring people?
Posted on 3/4/21 at 11:35 am to Broke
Slips and falls, sawdust in the eye, a string poking in the eye, electrical shock.. never underestimate the ingenuity of a litigation minded individual.
Posted on 3/4/21 at 11:44 am to auggie
quote:
Slips and falls, sawdust in the eye, a string poking in the eye, electrical shock.. never underestimate the ingenuity of a litigation minded individual.
Ok that makes sense. I get my stuff setup in an actual store so being there while small work is done isn't frowned upon. But if I'm having an entire setup I just leave it and come back a few weeks later.
Posted on 3/4/21 at 3:02 pm to Broke
My insurers aren't worried about the guitars or 99 percent of my clients. It's the workshop's machines that can snap, puncture and sever limbs. The tools that can bleed a person out in minutes. Chemicals that can blind a person immediately. Mixed potentially with that one percent of visitors that are stupid enough to meddle with things while I'm concentrating on their instruments instead of babysitting them.
Comparing me to a free-entry retail showroom, absolutely apples and oranges. In the eyes of underwriters, I have more in common with a furniture or metal fabrication shop or a meat market's processing area than I do with traditional music stores. And we operate accordingly.
Comparing me to a free-entry retail showroom, absolutely apples and oranges. In the eyes of underwriters, I have more in common with a furniture or metal fabrication shop or a meat market's processing area than I do with traditional music stores. And we operate accordingly.
This post was edited on 3/4/21 at 3:10 pm
Posted on 3/4/21 at 3:28 pm to TheFretShack
quote:
Comparing me to a free-entry retail showroom, absolutely apples and oranges.
Just an fyi, I wasn't comparing you to anyone. I've actually never been to your shop. It was more a stab an insurance companies covering their own asses.
Posted on 3/4/21 at 8:02 pm to Broke
Absolutely, their goal is receiving checks, not cutting them!
Posted on 3/5/21 at 7:42 am to TheCurmudgeon
FTR - Thanks for starting this thread, I've been looking locally to get some guitars setup and fret repaired for months and Tim's waitlist is months long (was the only place I knew of).
Will be contacting FretShack soon.
Will be contacting FretShack soon.
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