New Martin D-35 Custom Has a Problem...

[6L6]

You dudes and dudette's all know I love Guild guitars. But ever since I saw my first Martin D-35 back in 1965 (their first year of production), I loved the look of the 3-piece back. For many years I looked forward to buying one but could never find a Martin in that model that sounded all that great to me. For awhile I had a nice, but not great, '71 D-35 that I eventually sold.

Fast forward to January 2009 when I decided to order a D-35 Custom from Martin with the appointments exactly as I wanted (vintage binding, top grade spruce top, top grade ebony fretboard, high contrast center wedge, vintage toner, gloss neck, etc.). It arrived in late August and was an exceptional guitar right out of the box. Mission accomplished!

Almost...

Two months into it a roughness has developed on the back of the neck that runs from the heel all the way up through the back of the headstock. It's a cosmetic issue only, but still sucks.

I took the guitar over to our local Martin guru and he said it looked like the lacquer had not been allowed to dry thoroughly before shipment. He thinks he can buff it out, but said it may require a neck replacement if he can't.

Even though this is all covered by warranty, I sure never had such problems with any Guild I've ever bought!

Oh well, there are bigger problems in the world...

6

 

[killdeer43]

"There are bigger problems in the world," but still, that does suck, big time. We put a lot of energy into our guitars and although there are bigger problems, this one is really....personal!

Best of luck with a smooth solution. Try telling Martin you want a new D35? Wouldn't hurt to try, and what's to lose at this point? :wink:

Hang in there,
Joe

 

[6L6]

Try telling Martin you want a new D35? Wouldn't hurt to try, and what's to lose at this point?

The thing is, I LOVE the tone and sustain on this particular D-35 Custom. As I noted above, I think those two qualities are absent in most Martin D-35's and I won't be letting this one go because of that.

If the warranty work can't fix the problem, I'll live with it because it sounds so good.

6

'09 Martin D-35 Custom (with problems)
'98 D-45V
'06 D-55
'06 F-412
'74 D-40
'03 Taylor 214
'98 Collings D-1

 

[killdeer43]

The thing is, I LOVE the tone and sustain on this particular D-35 Custom. As I noted above, I think those two qualities are absent in most Martin D-35's and I won't be letting this one go because of that.
If the warranty work can't fix the problem, I'll live with it because it sounds so good.

In that case, hang on to it. You seem to have connected with the guitar so just look into the 'fix' part of the equation.
Love it when they sound "so good." :wink:

Joe

 

[Paddlefoot]

Hey 6,
I think I would call Martin directly on that one and make it clear that you paid the big bucks for a custom Martin not a repaired Martin from some local dude. Since this sounds like "The One" any wait to get it right should be worth it. It should be no problem for Martin to get it right at the factory as they do some pretty hairy repairs there on vintage stuff too.

 

[JimbowF212]

Hey 6,
I think I would call Martin directly on that one and make it clear that you paid the big bucks for a custom Martin not a repaired Martin from some local dude. Since this sounds like "The One" any wait to get it right should be worth it. It should be no problem for Martin to get it right at the factory as they do some pretty hairy repairs there on vintage stuff too.

I agree CALL MARTIN IMMEDIATLEY @ 1-800-345-3104 and ask for the repair dept and speak to one of them and they will tell you what to do but, if you have repairs done make sure the person is a certified Martin repairperson or Bye-Bye warrenty. If I had bought a custom guitar from them I would CALL THEM AND get the issue resolved by them on their dime not mine. Martins cost too much for these kind of things to happen. If you doubt my experience with Martins just check my signature.

 

[Bill Ashton]

A good friend recently decided his older D-41 had too high an action, bridge was already low, feared a neck reset but called Martin as he was the orignal purchaser...in 1976. They gave him a list of local certified luthiers and he is getting a neck reset done on their dime.

I don't think you will have to "demand" much, Martin will be very interested in taking care of you. Much different than Gibson...and, alas I fear, much different than FMIC. Good luck!

 

[dreadnut]

I've never heard any horror stories about Martin's customer service, I'll bet they'll take good care of you. They recently fixed up my buddy's '95 HD-35 to his extreme satisfaction

 

[Scratch]

Sorry to hear of your problem, but as mentioned, let them take care of it. Martin has been around since 1833 for good reason; they make good stuff and they stand behind their stuff...

 

[CWood8656]

Martin has a lifetime warranty for guitars owned by the original purchaser. I think they'll be happy to refinish your D35 neck at the factory. I doubt you will be able to tell the work was done.

 

[6L6]

Thanks for the advice above!

I am fortunate to live just 15 minutes from Gryphon Stringed Instruments, home of the incomparable mystro Frank Ford. He's the guy handling my guitar and I know his advice is as good as it gets.

If he can't fix it, Gryphon will handle the shipment and warranty stuff for me. SHould that become the case, my Guilds will be more than adequate to keep me happy!

In my 63 yrs on this planet I've never seen ANY guitar with this problem. How about you dudes/dudettes?

6

 

[chazmo]

6, do you have a picture?

If your guitar is in Frank Ford's hands.... well, um, I guess I wouldn't be at all worried.

 

[dapmdave]

Thanks for the advice above!

I am fortunate to live just 15 minutes from Gryphon Stringed Instruments, home of the incomparable mystro Frank Ford. He's the guy handling my guitar and I know his advice is as good as it gets.

If he can't fix it, Gryphon will handle the shipment and warranty stuff for me. SHould that become the case, my Guilds will be more than adequate to keep me happy!

In my 63 yrs on this planet I've never seen ANY guitar with this problem. How about you dudes/dudettes?

6

As long as it's being handled by the dealer, a certified Martin repair shop, you'll be OK. Don't do anything to endanger that warranty, though. You paid a lot for it.

Good luck.

Dave

 

[bluesypicky]

I wouldn't worry too much here...

1- As Bill said, Martin is a whole other animal than competing big brands, they actually "care" about customer satisfaction and work on this angle.
2- I don't see how an issue like the one you described (granted we haven't seen it) would warrant a replacement... The back of the neck finish is a pretty mild issue for any luthier and should not be much of a challenge to tackle, unless there is a chemical issue at the root of the problem with the product used, that could have "attacked" the wood beneath, but it's unlikely in my opinion.

Hope you can keep that one as it fits your bill prefectly apparently...
Good luck!

 

[Paddlefoot]

I would have to second the sentiment that if Frank Ford cant fix that finish no one can. He is first rate and you are lucky to be so close to his operation. Let us know how it gets resolved.

 

[Tunes]

That's a darn shame - but looks like you've received lots of great advice so far. I own a "99 D-35 and frankly love it like no other. It plays like a dream and does not seem to have suffered any of the issue you describe.

I am certain Martin will fix you up, and you will, once again, be a happy dude in no time at all.

If I had only one guitar that I could take with me on a trip around the world / desert isle / whatever - this would be the one.

P.S. I recently bought a Sigma DR-35 for my god-daughter. These were made in Korea under license by Martin, and for all intents and purposes is an exact Martin clone. Someone traded in an 80's Sigma at my favorite luthiers - in absolutely MINT condition. For $400, this thing sounds FANTASTIC. Yes, it has laminate rosewood instead of solid, BUT ... they even "copied" the 3 piece back design - I almost kept this thing for myself.

 

[6L6]

Let us know how it gets resolved.

Roger that.

We'll be looking in the late January time frame as Frank wants the guitar to just air out between now and then so the finish stops doing whatever it is doing. Then he'll take action and see if he can fix it.

6

 

[adorshki]

You wouldn't happen to have a case of that notorious "acid hands" that's going around, would you? :lol:

 

[fungusyoung]

Great advice from everyone here, 6.

If Frank Ford cannot fix it, you can and should sent it back to Nazareth. They will make it right.