What's happened to my Martin then

[marqueemoon]

It's not Wales, it's the neck is on at too shallow an angle. That's all there is to it. Don't let anyone run you around with truss rod this hygrometer that, either Martin resets the neck at a proper angle, you get a new guitar or a refund.

Yeah. There is 100% something inherently not right about this guitar and they’re trying to gaslight you about it.

[andy_tchp]

There are parts of the United States (e.g. south Florida) where the average daily relative humidity is around 75%.

I'm sure there are plenty of people in Miami, FL who play Martin guitars.

Something just doesn't seem right here

Yep, we regularly see high 80s - low 90% RH values where I am. Yet acoustic guitars/instruments exist without folding in on themselves.

Can only laugh at 75% being considered 'extreme'.

[welshywelsh]

Thanks all, I really appreciate all the input and advice.

It's worth saying again that although the room can be 75% if left alone, with the humidifier and Humidipaks, the guitar has been low 50% so this debunks their claim anyway. It's the UK, everywhere is the same over here.

Had an update from the guitar shop saying they're in discussions with Martin and it may be they'll put me in touch directly. I'll be replying tomorrow to say I bought the guitar from them, not Martin, they've had the guitar back once to resolve which they've failed to do and I've filed a Section 75 claim.

[windmill]

In any correspondence like this , it is useful to quote dates , times and names of people involved.

They then know you are serious and they are less likely to try fob you off.

HTH
☺

[Larry Mal]

I've seen it before- I'm pretty sure I mentioned that I had a Martin in which the neck angle was too shallow. It made me learn about acoustic guitars much deeper to avoid buying a lemon.

And that's what you have there, a lemon.

It also made me leery of the Martin brand, which I don't like saying. I would still buy another, I guess, although my explorations of other brands have left me to think that there's better value for money out there. That being said, Martins can be great guitars. They do tend to have a Martin sound that other guitar makers don't or can't quite do.

[andy_tchp]

I've seen it before- I'm pretty sure I mentioned that I had a Martin in which the neck angle was too shallow. It made me learn about acoustic guitars much deeper to avoid buying a lemon.

And that's what you have there, a lemon.

This is a huge downer. Am surprised their QC is that lax but I guess that's the modern corporate cost cutting way.

[øøøøøøø]

IIRC there was a time in the 70s where most Martins had their bridges in the wrong place due to a faulty scale length measurement tool or jig.

So not necessarily “modern cost cutting,” sometimes mistakes just happen and big companies just get it wrong

Less likely to see that kind of thing with a small-shop or custom guitar, but even then, mistakes happen

[welshywelsh]

Update, the shop has agreed to collect the guitar and issue a refund.

I won't relax until I see the money, but a breakthrough finally.

[Larry Mal]

Update, the shop has agreed to collect the guitar and issue a refund.

I won't relax until I see the money, but a breakthrough finally.

OK, so... what's next?

[øøøøøøø]

Good outcome for you!

I’m still very curious as to what was going on with this guitar, but we may never know

[fuzzjunkie]

Update, the shop has agreed to collect the guitar and issue a refund.

I won't relax until I see the money, but a breakthrough finally.

OK, so... what's next?

Time to get a Telecaster

[marqueemoon]

Update, the shop has agreed to collect the guitar and issue a refund.

I won't relax until I see the money, but a breakthrough finally.

OK, so... what's next?

Time to get a Telecaster

Is it ever not time?

Well, I’m glad this seems to be resolved. It never feels good to be the squeaky wheel unsatisfied customer, but sometimes ya gotta do it.

[GilmourD]

Time to get a Telecaster

Is it ever not time?

Only reason I wouldn't follow through on that advice...

I already have five...

[MattK]

I already have five...

huh. amateur league.

[Larry Mal]

I could never be without acoustic guitars. The plan to get a nice 00 Martin was a good one.

Collings might be an alternative.