1971 D 35 overtone problem

[bluepaloma]

I just bought said Martin from reputable dealer. The thing was in excellent condition with ohsc and tags. Only slight lacquer checking between the soundhole and bridge and it's hard to see. Doesn't appear to have been a gigging guitar as the case had no wear either. Anyway, my problem is a shrill overtone that I mostly experience from the high e string on the 3rd fret with open b string (was playing a folk G chord) but am now experiencing also when I hit other chords. It's about a nanosecond after I strike the chord that I hear this sound (similiar to what a cathode ray tube emits...mabye slightly lower). I took it to a local luthier and he didn't find anything obvious like a loose brace, something with the saddle, nut or bridge etc...I had already changed strings to make sure that couldn't have fixed it. Anyways, just wanted to see if anyone has any ideas other than sending this otherwise-beautiful guitar back to the dealer. I'm afraid it's an inherent problem that won't be able to be fixed. Note the sound of the guitar, this problem notwithstanding, is incredible. Really big but focused. The low end also doesn't overwhelm the high end. Very nice balance. The action could not be any lower/better.

[bluepaloma]

Note I just tried tuning down a step and am still getting the problem although a lower freq. of course.......

[woody b]

I'd recommend trying a different brand of strings, reguardless of what brand you're using now, and possibly a different type.

You might also try different, possibly softer bridge pins for those strings. My old D18 sounds "funky" with 80/20 strings. I also use 4 tusk bridge pins and 2 plastic ones for it to sound right but it sounds great.

[kwakatak]

It sounds like it could either be that a slight truss rod adjustment is needed or that a fret higher up needs to be lowered slightly - the string is coming in contact with a fret and is causing an artifical harmonic. Take it to a luthier and show him what it's doing - he should know what to do to fix it and it shouldn't cost much.

 

I had something similar happen when I had my acoustic set up by a local luthier. He had me try out the new setup but I had a full-out buzzing noise when I played a G chord. He took it back into his workshop where I heard some tapping and cranking and he had it fixed in about 2 minutes.

[Bluesfrog]

Originally posted by kwakatak It sounds like it could either be that a slight truss rod adjustment is needed or that a fret higher up needs to be lowered slightly - the string is coming in contact with a fret and is causing an artifical harmonic. Take it to a luthier and show him what it's doing - he should know what to do to fix it and it shouldn't cost much. I had something similar happen when I had my acoustic set up by a local luthier. He had me try out the new setup but I had a full-out buzzing noise when I played a G chord. He took it back into his workshop where I heard some tapping and cranking and he had it fixed in about 2 minutes.

A truss rod adjustment is impossible on a '71 because Martins didn't use adjustable trussrods till '84. You would have to do a heat press.I ppen to have the same problem with the E on a Martin myself. It's just a fret coming in contact. My opinion would be to take it to a good luthier (a reputable one in the area... I've heard nightmares about some who really screw up their guitars on cases like this). I think it's either a fret problem or an action problem, which, in the case, you might want to look into a set up, but I can't say anything on it because I haven't seen the guitar and don't know exactly. Have a luthier take a look.

[kwakatak]

Originally posted by Bluesfrog A truss rod adjustment is impossible on a '71 because Martins didn't use adjustable trussrods till '84.

 

Interesting! I don't have a Martin but my '73 F-360 was modeled after one and it has an adjustable truss rod - there's a hex fitting just inside the soundhole on mine. I've never messed with it but it was surprising how quickly the professional luthier was able to fix my problem. We're both in agreement though - take it to a reputable luthier who should be able to fix it with no bull{censored}.

[bluepaloma]

Yeah, the first thing I did was take it to a luthier who, while local, is very well known and respected. As a matter of fact, the dealer told me that's who I should take it to. Plus that's where I get all my work done and had also just bought a late 40's Gibson LG-2 from (no complaints with that guit. at all).

Anyways, they think it may be possibly a tiny void somewhere in the bracing or somewhere structurally. It's not anywhere between the bridge and the nut, so to speak. The action could be a little higher but it's not resulting from that. Unfortunately having to return it.