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Options for Correcting Intonation on 70's Martin D's

Kimsey Lutherie

1,945 views

If I say 13 7/8".... I meant 12 7/8". :)

Options for correcting intonation in 1970's Martin D's. This is an excerpt from a longer "Triage" video.

(00:20) Checking saddle and bridge location
(02:30) Option 1: scoot the bridge
(05:00) Option 2: scoot the saddle and pins
(07:18) Option 3: neck heel shim
(10:28) Option 4: shorter fingerboard
(12:17) Option 5: nut compensation spacer

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Playlists:

Guitar Comparisons- Guitar Comparisons

Evaluating Guitars- Evaluating Guitars

Guitar Repair Technique- Guitar Repair

1970's Martins- 1970's Martins

Shop Tools and Layout- Shop Tools and Layout

Questions and Answers- Questions and Answers

Just Playing- Just Playing

Instructional- Instructional

Mandolins- Mandolins

6 Comments

@ryanmalone844 3 years ago

Did you mean 12 7/8"? You said 13 7/8".

@luvbgrass 3 years ago (edited)

Thanks for the video Bryan. I just played a 71 D18 a guy has for sale yesterday. It actually sounds pretty good. But, I have heard about the 70's having the problem with the bridges. It had a bad crack repair on the top towards the lower bout, and it needs a neck reset. He is asking $2000

@dalesearcy5734 3 years ago

What is your opinion on how guitar bridge pins affect the sound of a guitar?

@rosewoodsteel6656 3 years ago

Bryan, What are your thoughts/experiences with guitars that have graphite neck reinforcement? And, the seller of a guitar I'm interested in alternates saddles for summer and winter use with his guitar with this type of neck. I've never done that with my 74 D-35, so would that indicate a stability issue with the neck? Thanks

@jeffhildreth9244 3 years ago

Curious if other Martin models from the 70s, such as the 000-18, were also prone to incorrect bridge placement.

@rosewoodsteel6656 3 years ago

Thank's Bryan! I need to measure my 74 D-35 to see where things stand..

-Question for you about a top crack on a guitar I'm considering. It is about an inch away from the neck on the treble side, close to the binding and extends about an inch from the sound hole. It runs parallel to the neck, along the grain. The seller believes it's a finish crack. The guitar is located beyond travel distance, so I can only view it from a photo.
Your thoughts on this (whether it should be a concern, if a repair is warranted etc.) would be greatly appreciated. Also of note, there is a ding on the bass side of the heal which exposed a bit of wood. It is in a very unusual place for a ding and I wonder if whatever impacted it could be associated with the crack..

Thanks for any thoughts you may have on this.