Martin Action

[Dragontooth]

I recently purchased a Martin D15 Custom (Spruce/Rosewood) and am having trouble with the action. I've been playing for many years so I'm far from new to these things. Trouble is, the action seems to be very difficult for me. I've had the neck adjusted once because there was a fret buzz. The adjustment was very slight and I can't tell any difference in height. However since new, I cannot barre an "F" at the first fret. No matter how hard I try, I can't depress all 6 strings. From 2 on up. I'm OK but no way on 1. Is this a problem for others? Are all Martins like this? My Alvarez has a wonderful action compared to this instrument and I have no trouble with it, I wish it sounded as good! Any comments would be appreciated.

[totamus]

Most acoustics, and especially Martin, are not set up for optimal action at the factory. Their reasoning is that they don't know what the players preference will be.

 

It is nearly a certainty that your nut is higher than it needs to be. A telling symptom is hard to fret near the nut (as in your F chord). Have a good tech or Luthier do a set up and adjust the nut, saddle and neck relief. If you have guitar whose action you like (your alvarez possibly) take it with and tell your luthier/tech to match it.

[melandy]

 

Most acoustics, and especially Martin, are not set up for optimal action at the factory. There reasoning is that they dont know what the players preference will be. It is nearly a certainty that your nut is higher than it needs to be. A telling symptom is hard to fret near the nut (as in your F chord). Have a good tech or Luthier do a set up and adjust the nut, saddle and neck relief. If you have guitar whose action you like (your alvarez possibly) take it with and tell your luthier/tech to match it.

 

 

+1

 

Did you buy the Martin online, or at a local shop? New or used? If at a local shop, take it back and tell them you're not happy with the action. Especially if it was new, a proper setup to your playing style/needs should have been included when you purchased the guitar. If at all possible, try to talk to the person that sold you the guitar, as they will be more invested in keeping you happy.

 

If you bought it online, paying for a setup at a local shop is a very worthwhile investment.

 

-A

[Queequeg]

 

Most acoustics, and especially Martin, are not set up for optimal action at the factory. There reasoning is that they dont know what the players preference will be. It is nearly a certainty that your nut is higher than it needs to be. A telling symptom is hard to fret near the nut (as in your F chord). Have a good tech or Luthier do a set up and adjust the nut, saddle and neck relief. If you have guitar whose action you like (your alvarez possibly) take it with and tell your luthier/tech to match it.

 

I agree.

Sounds like the nut.

And I agree that CFM sets up for strumming or flatpicking (higher) although this generally refers to the saddle. Odd that the nut would be too high. But that sure sounds like what you got. Nut work is best left for the pros or @ least not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced. If you bought it new, I think I would take it back and try to have this done under warranty.

[rjoxyz]

Given the model, my guess is that it is from Musician's Friend? If so, it came with a factory setup, which is pretty high. Given the complaint, the advice from the others is probably dead on regarding the nut slots.

[Freeman Keller]

Martins have a reputation of shipping with high action at both ends - it is easier to lower than raise. CFM IV was quoted on UMGF as saying that he expects the store that sells a new one to set it up to the players requirements.

 

You can check using the Sick Guitar tests (or very quickly, the high E clearance at the first fret should be around 0.016, the low E around 0.022. Action at the 12th depends on the player, but I like somewhere around 0.080 on the high E (5/64) and 3/32 (0.090) on the low. I personally like somewhere around 0.006-8 relief).

 

Here is an article about the way Bryan Kimsey sets up Martins - I follow it pretty closely

 

http://www.bryankimsey.com/setup/index.htm

[OldGuitarPlayer]

From what I have read it sounds like you need to have your nut adjusted by a luthier...not really a big deal and should only take a few minute. It's funny I often hear about Martins being shipped with high action. Every Martin I have ever tried in a store was setup pretty good from the factory...at least for me. The Martin 000-15 I bought new and the action was perfect the day I tried in the store and I have never had to do a thing to it since. Same thing with my Taylor 114....I guess I was lucky?

[Dragontooth]

I just measured: .022 at 6 and .016 at 1. Looks like what it should be. Where do I go from here?

[totamus]

The symptoms you describe are certainly those of a high nut. So there are two possibilities remaining:

1) your measurements are in error, or

2) The string gauge is higher than you are used to.

 

You can try putting on a set of identical strings to the ones you are accustomed to. I would suspect a measurement error though. If you put the new strings on, and a barred F at the first fret is still impossible, then take it to a luthier/set-up tech, and get the nut, saddle and relief all adjusted.

[Queequeg]

What strings do you generally play with? And what guitar were you playing prior to this CFM?

I never had a CFM out of the box I couldn't play an F chord on, and I don't believe this would fall into the "usual and ordinary" range.

With all due respect, anybody else played this, & if so did they have the same reaction as you?

I'm kind of thinking like totamus here.

[Freeman Keller]

 

I just measured: .022 at 6 and .016 at 1. Looks like what it should be. Where do I go from here?

 

 

 

Try one more test - put a capo on the second fret and tap the strings over the first with your finger tip. You should feel (and hear) a little "ping" but there should be very little movement of the string. Do it with each string and report back. Also check your relief (capo one, hold the string down at 12 and measure the clearance at 7)