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A conversation with the folks at Martin's Guitarmaker's Connection shop might turn up a Martin neck and fingerboard without breaking the bank. Martin's castoff parts might be just right, often they're rejected for cosmetic unsuitability or manufacturing defects meaningless to a repair.

phavriluk wrote:A conversation with the folks at Martin's Guitarmaker's Connection shop might turn up a Martin neck and fingerboard without breaking the bank. Martin's castoff parts might be just right, often they're rejected for cosmetic unsuitability or manufacturing defects meaningless to a repair.

Yup. I did get an email from Martin that Martin tours and the Guitar Maker's connection shop were closing, hopefully they'll take phone orders.

This isn't a case of "Send it back to Martin for warranty", this is "patch this abused guitar back up for play".

Hope to have the neck off tonight to examine whether one of Martin's kit necks will suit. Got the fretboard off Sat. and the neck does have an extra "tongue" of material as I've seen described several places. I figure steam will help it let go, too.

Neck came off like it's supposed to, with steam. The extra tongue took a little attention but not bad. Test fit of a neck from a kit in progress looks like it'll work.
Called Guitarmaker's Connection and got their voicemail. Really would like to use their parts on this. I'm hoping that they're still doing the mail/phone order stuff, just not walk in.

Well, the Martin neck fit just fine with a little bit of shim added.
I also used the truss rod and Richlite fretboard from a kit.
Polished up the old tuners, slotted a nut, and fit a saddle.
Found this cracked X-brace under the hood too: Patched that up.
The finish has any number of other issues - crazing, signatures, gouging - so don't worry about it sitting on gravel. Plays pretty well. Gotta make a few setup adjustments and the owner is picking it up Wednesday.

Well done. Is it a dovetail joint?

Ed

ruby@magpage.com wrote:Well done. Is it a dovetail joint?

Ed

Yes it is.

Must feel great to take that on and see it finished successfully. Congrats!

Postscript - got the guitar back to its owner yesterday.

I received a text late last night telling me that he had been playing it for hours and was very satisfied.

Made me very happy.

Great work!

OT: While fitting the neck on my current build I noticed that it may have a slight twist to it. This thread couldn't have come at a better time!

good work!