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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.

yes that maple strip was the theory but it never really worked I use the plywood

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