• Registered: 2011-03-12
  • Posts: 1

Topic: New guitar--need help

I swear I going to learn how to play the guitar now that I am retired.  I am looking at a Martin DC16E.  I have looked at several other Martins, Guilds, Taylors... and found that this Martin most accommodates the three imprecise chords I know.  One thing bothers me about this instrument.  The frets seem to extend past, or very near past, the edge of the fret board on both sides.  It is almost as if you snag your fingers as you run them up and down the neck.  The seller says he will dress the frets to my liking.  By having the frets dressed am I going to destroy some crucial characteristic of this guitar?

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: New guitar--need help

A fret dress will cause no harm if done properly. What would concern me is the fact that they are protruding at all in the first place. That is usually a sign of a very dry guitar (not properly humidified). Check the top and back good with a straight edge looking for any wavyness. The back should have some radius (outward curve) to it but it should be a smooth bend with no dips or high spots.  Is the guitar new or used?

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  • tandm3
  • Senior Member
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  • From: Florida Panhandle
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 421

Re: New guitar--need help

Hello Zylstra,

I do my own fret work. So from that experience, I can assure you that dressing the frets will not "destroy some crucial characteristic" of your new Martin.  It will however prevent you from ripping the flesh off of your fingers as you play! Care must be taken not to harm the finish but this is easily accomplished with proper masking and careful filing.

A couple of questions you should ask... is this current fret job a recent refret?  I can't image a company like Martin shipping out an instrument with long frets on it. and, If these are the original frets, has this instrument been kept in a very dry place for a long time?  Long frets could result from wood shrinking due to extremely dry climates... Are there any other problems with the guitar like cracks in the top finish etc?

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4 Reply by naolslager (edited by naolslager 2011-03-21 11:41:11)

  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2009-06-12
  • Posts: 873

Re: New guitar--need help

+1 on Guitarpix's comments about a DRY guitar. Unless this guitar has been re-fretted this is the only conclusion I can draw.

  • zguitar
  • Don't call me Sir
  • Offline
  • From: Mentone, Ca
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 1,367

Re: New guitar--need help

Awhile back I took my first guitar (Ibanez dread) to have a set up done. I bought it new in 2002 and just took it in last year. My guy told me that the frets stuck out a little. I never really paid attention to it. But he said it could just be from shrinkage. This guitar is a low budget model and I've never had any problems with it. Just something else to add to the mix.

Keep Rockin!!!!!!!!!!!
  • From: Deep Run, NC
  • Registered: 2010-01-29
  • Posts: 90

Re: New guitar--need help

Are you sure it's a Martin and not a Martin knock off?  I read that some of the high price guitars have been subject to having knock offs made.  Something to think about.

tonyespo / 63 year old NEWBEE

I better learn to play fast, I'm already an old fart.
  • dino48
  • Honoured Member
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  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 6,801

Re: New guitar--need help

Hi zylstra,I think tonyespo might have a good point,you should check on it more,Martins do not skip on thier workmanship.

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • Registered: 2011-03-26
  • Posts: 1

Re: New guitar--need help

I echo Tony..Look out for immatations!

  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: New guitar--need help

Go to this site and look around and ask some questions.  There are a lot of Martin experts there.
http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/

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