Members Lgehrig4 Posted May 10, 2006 Members Posted May 10, 2006 Hi, I just purchased a used Martin OM-21 and it is a few dings and one finish chip away from being as new. It plays and sounds great, but the shallow side of me kind of wants to fix these up a bit if possible. The dings are on the sides and there is a bit of finish removed from the top binding about an inch long and 1/8 inch wide. Can these be repaired and is there anyone in the NY/NJ/CT region who can do this. Man, what a sweet sounding guitar! Thanks to those on this forum who recommended it. thanksjeff
Members Whalebot Posted May 10, 2006 Members Posted May 10, 2006 Originally posted by Lgehrig4 there is a bit of finish removed from the top binding about an inch long and 1/8 inch wide. Can these be repaired and is there anyone in the NY/NJ/CT region who can do this. Great guitar, I love mine. I say leave it as is and don't mess with it, MoJo is what dings are called around here. If you do decide to fix it check the martin website and do a dealer/authorized repair shop searh on the site, it will give you repair shops in your area. and you'll want a good one to work on finish problems. Now about the binding...the binding on a 21 is tortoise, did that chip or the actual clear coat gloss arouind the binding? Perhaps the tortoise is popping off a bit? a good tech can glue that back on.
Members Freeman Keller Posted May 10, 2006 Members Posted May 10, 2006 The nice thing about lacquer is that it is pretty easy to fix, but it is still a bit of a hassle. A good repair shop should be able to blend and/or polish out defects, but like Whalbot suggest, why not leave it as "character"? And the purpose of binding is to protect the wood around the edges of the top and bottom plate - if the binding itself isn't damaged I personally wouldn't worry about it. That is a wonderful guitar - take it out and play with it!
Members Lgehrig4 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Members Posted May 10, 2006 The binding is not coming off, only the clear coat. I can live with the dings, but I'm afraid the ship will spread if I don't have it sealed up. I love the wide neck. Are there any good improvements to make top this guitar from it's stock form?
Members Whalebot Posted May 10, 2006 Members Posted May 10, 2006 The chip in the clear coat should be just fine as long as you don't pick at it. I had some issues with the glue around the neck of mine, I just ignore it cause she sounds so darn pretty! I changed out the bridge pins to ebony and I lost volume and sustain. I put it back to stock and that's the way it will stay. Martin makes these guitars this way for a reason. At $1,600 they aren't putting plastic on to save money, they do it cause it sounds good. I trust them, they have been at it for a while.
Members Lgehrig4 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Members Posted May 10, 2006 I ask b/c I remember reading something about someone changing either the nut or saddle and getting more sustain/volume.
Members Dave W. Posted May 10, 2006 Members Posted May 10, 2006 I have a new OM-21 and love it. The saddle and nut are bone from the factory, so unless they have been changed, you should be good there. I would put my effort into finding the strings that sound best to you and maybe get a professional setup. You probably got a pretty good deal, so put the money away for your next step up. I am already thinking about mine, but don't tell the wife. My 2 cents.
Members Freeman Keller Posted May 10, 2006 Members Posted May 10, 2006 Jeff, if you really want to patch the finish, here is the method. I've done it and it really isn't difficult. You need to make sure your OM-21 is straight nitrocellulose lacquer - I wouldn't try this on catalyzed or UV finishes. I would also suggest doing a very small spot first before you try the binding. http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Finish/Lacquer/DropFill/dropfill.html
Members Lgehrig4 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Members Posted May 10, 2006 Originally posted by Freeman Keller Jeff, if you really want to patch the finish, here is the method. I've done it and it really isn't difficult. You need to make sure your OM-21 is straight nitrocellulose lacquer - I wouldn't try this on catalyzed or UV finishes. I would also suggest doing a very small spot first before you try the binding.http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Finish/Lacquer/DropFill/dropfill.html Sweet! Thanks!
Members Eppito Posted May 23, 2006 Members Posted May 23, 2006 So, dings are considered acquired mojo? If that's the case, my Seagull is on its way to mojohood. I just got it two months ago, but that cedar top laps up them there dings! In any case, enjoy the OM...I'd love the OM 28V, myself. Ahhhh, GAS, you never pass!
Members Freeman Keller Posted May 23, 2006 Members Posted May 23, 2006 Originally posted by Eppito So, dings are considered acquired mojo? If that's the case, my Seagull is on its way to mojohood. I just got it two months ago, but that cedar top laps up them there dings! Yea, dings are mojo. Your 'gull has a long way to go
Members Eppito Posted May 23, 2006 Members Posted May 23, 2006 LOL, Freeman...Isn't it amazing how beat up Wilie's guitar is, but the tone on that thing is killer!
Members Freeman Keller Posted May 23, 2006 Members Posted May 23, 2006 Originally posted by Eppito LOL, Freeman...Isn't it amazing how beat up Wilie's guitar is, but the tone on that thing is killer! I can only imagine the storys that old Trigger could tell.... no, actually, I can't imagine....
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