Poll – Has your Martin had binding problems?

[Pdubs76]

Great. Now I’m convinced that the binding will separate on my HD28.

[rstaight]

I don't own a Martin and really have no desire to. They just aren't for me.

I know several folks that own Martins and no one has complained of the binding separating. However, one gentleman who's guitar doesn't have binding has a nasty crack in the top.

[rllink]

Originally Posted by columbia

Yeah, I agree. It's just that Martin or Martinesque guitars really fit this type of music. If I played general singer-songwriter stuff, for example, I might get a Gibson, Taylor, Guild, etc.

I'm just commenting on the statement that you play a Martin regardless of the binding problem because you play bluegrass and I guess I thought that you inferred that you would play something else if you didn't. So what I'm saying is that you can show up to play bluegrass with any of those others and be just as accepted as you would be bringing in a Martin. But that said, if it is a Martin helping you feel more of a bluegrass player, then by all means, do what makes you feel more a part of it.

[TheGITM]

Well, what are the odds? LOL...

I just pulled out the 000-28EC to change strings and give it good once over... and what do I discover?

Yep. Binding is starting to separate on the back on both the upper and lower... Looks like I caught it early, though.

Guess it's my turn... time to walk the walk... I'll get the hair dryer, toothpick, CA medium glue, tape, and clamps...

Had to happen, didn't? I said if it happened, I deal with it. So, I'll deal with it.

I actually laughed out loud when I saw it... Happy Saturday! Time to get busy on the fixing...

Since I cannot change my vote... add one to the HAS EXPERIENCED group and subtract one from the NO group.

[CodeBlueEMT]

Hey, that looks like my 000-28EC. The back seems to be where it started on mine too. Hope your DIY repair works out. I'm scared to heat the binding on mine. The double-sided tape I used is holding the binding well enough. It's not getting snagged on my pants or vibrating.

[dnf777]

Originally Posted by TheGITM

Well, what are the odds? LOL...

I just pulled out the 000-28EC to change strings and give it good once over... and what do I discover?

Yep. Binding is starting to separate on the back on both the upper and lower... Looks like I caught it early, though.

Guess it's my turn... time to walk the walk... I'll get the hair dryer, toothpick, CA medium glue, tape, and clamps...

Had to happen, didn't? I said if it happened, I deal with it. So, I'll deal with it.

I actually laughed out loud when I saw it... Happy Saturday! Time to get busy on the fixing...

Since I cannot change my vote... add one to the HAS EXPERIENCED group and subtract one from the NO group.

AAARRRGH! Sorry to see that! Good luck with repairs. Not sure that qualifies as “early”, though.

You can see the geometry of the problem. Imagine snipping the binding, then laying it in the groove. You’d have approximately 2-3mm gap. That would relieve the pressure. Wonder if thats a bad idea? Then fill the gap with some colored epoxy, or even a bridge of similar binding. Kind of like the expansion joints on bridges, except shrinkage joints?
Beware- your method is exactly what my hog Tweedy had done, and despite meticulous clean up, the CA glue oxidized and there is a rather visible white residue left.

[Luckymud]

Originally Posted by dnf777

AAARRRGH! Sorry to see that! Good luck with repairs. Not sure that qualifies as “early”, though.

You can see the geometry of the problem. Imagine snipping the binding, then laying it in the groove. You’d have approximately 2-3mm gap. That would relieve the pressure. Wonder if thats a bad idea? Then fill the gap with some colored epoxy, or even a bridge of similar binding. Kind of like the expansion joints on bridges, except shrinkage joints?
Beware- your method is exactly what my hog Tweedy had done, and despite meticulous clean up, the CA glue oxidized and there is a rather visible white residue left.

I agree -- I don't think that qualifies as "early." My 2022 Ceo-7 has a length that's about 30% of yours and the gap is much smaller between the body and the binding. You can just fit a fingernail in the space, but it's clearly going to release a much longer portion, as I can see a raised line of finish between the binding and the body along a larger portion.

[TheGITM]

Here it is... took all of 15 minutes to get it ready, lightly heat, apply the glue, press with thumb and wipe off the squeeze out, tape, and clamp.

I'll let it sit for a few hours and then see how it looks... assuming it works as well as I expect, I can see why it's only a $70 warranty repair from Martin (I think that's what someone said Martin pays the repair shop). If I were setup to work on guitars I could do this all day and make a ton of dough!

[TheGITM]

Originally Posted by CodeBlueEMT

Hey, that looks like my 000-28EC. The back seems to be where it started on mine too. Hope your DIY repair works out. I'm scared to heat the binding on mine. The double-sided tape I used is holding the binding well enough. It's not getting snagged on my pants or vibrating.

I hope it works out, too! I'm done... now it's just wait and see...

[TheGITM]

Originally Posted by dnf777

AAARRRGH! Sorry to see that! Good luck with repairs. Not sure that qualifies as “early”, though.

You can see the geometry of the problem. Imagine snipping the binding, then laying it in the groove. You’d have approximately 2-3mm gap. That would relieve the pressure. Wonder if thats a bad idea? Then fill the gap with some colored epoxy, or even a bridge of similar binding. Kind of like the expansion joints on bridges, except shrinkage joints?
Beware- your method is exactly what my hog Tweedy had done, and despite meticulous clean up, the CA glue oxidized and there is a rather visible white residue left.

I swear it wasn't like that a few weeks ago when I last played it... or maybe I just didn't notice since it was only on the back. I guess that's possible.

Since I pulled it out this time specifically to change strings and give it a clean and polish... I noticed.

Not surprised, though. It is a thing...

[davidd]

Originally Posted by TheGITM

Well, what are the odds? LOL...

I just pulled out the 000-28EC to change strings and give it good once over... and what do I discover?

Yep. Binding is starting to separate on the back on both the upper and lower... Looks like I caught it early, though.

Guess it's my turn... time to walk the walk... I'll get the hair dryer, toothpick, CA medium glue, tape, and clamps...

Had to happen, didn't? I said if it happened, I deal with it. So, I'll deal with it.

I actually laughed out loud when I saw it... Happy Saturday! Time to get busy on the fixing...

Since I cannot change my vote... add one to the HAS EXPERIENCED group and subtract one from the NO group.

Now that's karma in all its glory...

[Fireside_Guitar]

I owned a few Martin’s from the era of the poll and didn’t experience the binding issue. It’s too bad to hear about so many folks having this problem with their guitars.

[Direstrats]

Originally Posted by Luckymud

I agree -- I don't think that qualifies as "early." My 2022 Ceo-7 has a length that's about 30% of yours and the gap is much smaller between the body and the binding. You can just fit a fingernail in the space, but it's clearly going to release a much longer portion, as I can see a raised line of finish between the binding and the body along a larger portion.

2022!! Oh no....

Is the binding Grained Ivoroid as per the Martin Specs for the Ceo-7 or Off white Boltaron ?

My 2023 Eric Clapton has Off White Boltaron like the standard series even though the specs say Grained Ivoroid....it seems the tortoise and iveroid bindings are still causing issues which is maybe ? why the 18 series now has black binding and the EC change to Boltaron

[jimmy bookout]

...........

[TheGITM]

It's passable. I'm not thrilled with the left side. I think I will touch that up tomorrow... I don't think I kept enough pressure on it. Oh, well.

I also need to do a little scraping and buffing. Just a few glue bumps that need to come down, and some blending back with polish.

Not horrible for a first try.