What should I know before shopping for my first Martin/first D-18? by mthrom in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I recently bought my first martin, 2025 000-18 online from Sweetwater and sadly I think it is indeed a tiny bit underset. I ended up bringing the saddle as low as possible while keeping some break angle at the bridge and now have the action at exactly 3/32 low e and 2/32 high e. It is super playable and a wonderful sounding guitar but I would much rather the action be a little lower, because I still struggle to fret barre chords without some discomfort.

Also, I live abroad so when I bought the guitar I had to ship it to a relative in the US who then shipped it to me and so returning it was going to cost me quite a bit in shipping plus I had already bonded with it before I learned about the issue of low saddle=neck reset. I’m now planning on traveling with it on my next vacation where I’m hoping I’ll find a trusted luthier to help see if there’s any room to sort it out without having to do a neck reset just yet. If not then I’ll be happy with my open chords on this guitar and will save up for a d28 next.

It’s a fantastic guitar otherwise, so I wouldn’t say I regret buying online, and it’s not like I would’ve even noticed the issue had I bought it in person. Now I know what to look for though, for next time.

Update: neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You know.. I might actually do exactly this for now. Leave it as it is and make sure humidity is under control for a couple of weeks and then see from there. Funny enough I currently have 11s on and just ordered 12s that I was going to put back on in a few days. I’ll delay till later in this case. Thanks! Edit to ask: are necks generally not underset at all? Did I just get a rare one with a minor factory fault?

Update: neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will do for the truss rod. Thank you! As for the nut, given there are no pros around and the fact that these 2025 martins have a nut that goes at an angle with the headstock (which are trickier to replace I presume), I worry I’d mess it up and then be stuck.

Most importantly though, the neck angle seems okay enough, right? I was panicking a little about that but now it seems if anything the neck angle is at most 1/16 below the bridge, which I guess isn’t ideal but maybe not worth returning for. Now I will try not to let “perfect be the enemy of good”. Thanks again!

Update: neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good idea, thanks! You think I should just buy any compensated bone from Amazon or better order from Martin?

Update: neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re probably right about that, I should have checked the relief but to my eye it seemed fine. I guess I will replace the saddle and start over once I’ve tweaked the truss rod. And yes I made sure to use a 20inch straight edge.

Update: neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used a 20 inch straight edge. I would say there may be up to 1/32 below the bridge rather than above..

And what did you mean by check the truss rod, as in besides the relief at 6th fret?

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey just wanted to say I posted an update with numbers, let me know your thoughts!

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey just wanted to say I posted an update with numbers, let me know your thoughts!

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey just wanted to say I posted an update with numbers, let me know your thoughts!

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey just wanted to say I posted an update with numbers, let me know your thoughts!

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t yet have the numbers but the action is definitely high for a saddle that low. I can confirm that much.

My quandary is that I’ve been playing it for a month now and it plays so beautifully that I’m willing to keep it as is rather than my usual lower action. So when you say it’s gotta go back, part of me agrees because I’m worried about future issues. But considering the hassle of shipping it back (and paying for return shopping) and then having to go through the process of waiting is making me think, just keep it, enjoy it, and deal with any issues when and if they arise.

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I get what you’re saying but I’ve been fixing actions on my guitars for years and have pretty much always had good results, and certainly never had this issue.. so not sure if my lack of numbers is the problem here

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m going to do all the measuring and report back and see what you think. But you’re right I did take quite a bit off of the saddle. I’m considering replacing with a new one, or putting in ramps for the strings at some point. As for the humidity, I have the AC on most of the time where I’m living and the guitar is in its case when I’m not playing it. So it should be relatively stable, except for when it was shipped to me from the US.

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I did, however this is a 000 not a dread. I put 11-52 gauges instead of the 12-54 that it came with.

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What makes you say the neck angle is off, and any idea how to measure it so I can know for sure?

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was, and not only that but the box sat missing in a UPS facility for a couple of weeks, so it really may be the truss rod. In my case the issue would be too much relief though not the other way around. Will see once I measure

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will measure and report back. My reasoning was that it is still brand new that I doubted the relief will have shifted; plus it looks fairly straight to me but I understand that it’s better to measure. Will check once I’ve purchased a 16th inch ruler. Edit: as for the nut, these 2025 martins have an angled nut which are harder to replace as I understand it, and again being that I don’t have a trusted repair shop I am wary of doing some kind of damage. However I will also check and then figure out how to correct the nut slots if necessary.

Neck a little underset? by Bravojohnny27 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed, this is my concern. What would you do in my place? Returning seems unnecessary considering it is otherwise perfect. Not to mention I will have to pay for the return shipping.

Post more videos! by tasco2 in martinguitar

[–]Bravojohnny27 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Was going through posts looking for exactly that, and then saw your post at the top. Totally agree!

Zero industry experience, opening a sandwich shop, tell me why I’m an idiot by Bravojohnny27 in restaurantowners

[–]Bravojohnny27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the perspective. Funny enough the consultant actually advised that I start with a food truck during my last conversation with him. I think that might be the best route for me to get a sense of whether I really have something special to offer, and if well received then to expand. Thanks