Tail Block cushion - revisited

What're You Doing?
Post Reply
jread
Posts: 560
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:52 am
Contact:

Tail Block cushion - revisited

Post by jread »

This has been nagging at me for a while. I've seen a few Martin's with this strip on the *inside* of the tail block. They posted one today on Instagram. I asked about it and was informed that it was to keep the block and sides from splitting if the guitar was dropped on the end pin. Well, I've brought this up a few times on this forum and was taught here that the strip should be plywood (soft) and embedded in a channel on the *outside* of the tail-block so as to absorb the shock of a pin being struck and acting like a wedge. That is, in a dado channel so it rests between the block and sides. That makes sense. This picture from Martin today and their explanation makes no sense to me at all.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?


Here's the post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTuIdM2tDjl/

Seems incorrect since the pin wouldn't even reach the strip, it seems physically impossible to be a force cushion. But they are Martin. I must be misunderstanding something here.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Tail Block cushion - revisited

Post by tippie53 »

yes that maple strip was the theory but it never really worked I use the plywood
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
jread
Posts: 560
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:52 am
Contact:

Re: Tail Block cushion - revisited

Post by jread »

Ah. Another “because that’s the way it was always done” moments. Thanks for your insight. I’ll be doing it your way. ;)
Post Reply