Step by Step Saddle Replacement on a Martin DCPA4
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- I decided to replace the saddle on my Martin DCPA4 with a bone one from chrisalsopguitar.co.uk in an attempt to isolate an annoying buzz from the D and G strings. This is a set by step run-through of the process. Perfect for a basic saddle replacement.
I love that " Ironic Laugh"
Mr Graham 🤓
Reminds me of my own!
GOOD VID.
Thanks Martin. It is always nice to have someone appreciate one's efforts to help others.
Perfect! How to change the saddle even though it wasn't the problem! LOL!! When you have buzz on an "open" string it's either neck, fret or nut! 1st check the neck you want a very slight downward bow in the middle (very slight) is key. If not that check to see if you have a fret that needs dressing. If it's not that then it has to be the nut. There's a great video on YT where a guy (luthier I think?) who uses (not kidding) baking soda and super glue to repair a not that's too deeply slotted. Laughing cause it looks like something I might have done a few years ago myself. Good on you for trying to DIY - it's often trial and error but that's how we learn to care for our instruments! Frustrating but ultimately we're better for having tried!
Dave Hardy haha. Absolutely. I enjoyed the process despite being disappointed with the outcome.
Did you ever get it worked out? I hope so! Here's my DCPA4 story. I got in I think 2012 or 13, that was purchased from "points" I acquired from my job, so it was like a mail order bride - so to speak. I didn't get to play it before purchasing and the "Set Up" if you can call it that?? Was HORRIBLE!! straight out of the box. In fact I was so disappointed that I took it to the local GC and tried to trade it but they wouldn't give me anything for it. So I put it in it's case and that's were it stayed for all these years until just recently. I didn't think I should have to work on a "Martin" guitar!! I had dreamed about owning one and now that I did it was (I thought) a POS!! But, reviews from owners on the web are 4.5 and 5 stars out of 5 stars pretty much across the board so I got it back out and put new strings on it, adjusted the neck and adjusted the saddle (which I'm about to replace with a bone saddle) (maybe nut and pins too, we'll see) So, now, the action is awesome but my Low E string is dead still (which it has always been) (part of the reason I gave up on it in the first place). So I pulled the saddle back out and pulled up the pick-up... up and there's a Damn shim under the saddle!!! So now I"m wondering did I buy a Refurbished guitar?? I have no idea about that so... it just is what it is that this point, Right? So, of course, I took the shim out of the bridge from under the pickup and put everything back together - fearing that now my action would be too low and I'd have the problem your having with string buzz. But, that didn't happen - It dropped the action right in the pocket!! Beautifully!! And, the Low E is no longer DEAD (acoustically) but it still is - plugged in. Patients is not a strong suit for me and at this point I"m pretty frustrated! But, I'm really digging the guitar acoustically now and the action is like butter so I keep playing it. FINALLY.... I got the bright idea to again remove the saddle and try adjusting the piezo pickup (i.e. pull it up, and push some of it back into the hole) (probably between 1-3mm? I didn't measure that, sorry). I did that and reset the saddle, and tuned it up, plugged it in and EURIKA!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!! IT WORKED!!!! I finally have a Martin guitar that I enjoy playing both acoustically and plugged in, that plays and sounds like a Martin should play and sound. It's been a JOURNEY, and it shouldn't have been (yes I fault Martin for that ridiculously bad QC and set up) but, everything happens for a reason I suppose... It has been a long drawn out process and learning experience that forced me to become more knowledgeable, determined and patient. Hopefully, you have your issues worked out by now. However, if you don't, I offer this in the way of encouragement to a fellow DCPA4 owner and novice luthier... In my experience the end results were worth the journey! All the Best!
@@davehardy9555 I have a Martin that was dead right out of the box when using a capo and a Martin that sounded great for 6 months and then went dead. The rep from Martin told me that they are getting a lot of guitars back because of the dryness in the house. Didn't know I had to build a house around a temperamental guitar. What a waste of money. I have 10 acoustic guitars and they all live great in my dry house.
@@TheGhost5600 Sounds like an BS excuse on Martin's part to me. I think they've got some quality control issues they need to get a handle on.
Dave Hardy I just got a DCPA4 that is new (though a few years old). The setup is awful on this guitar. I bought it without playing since it came with a full return policy. But, the action is almost unplayable after the 7th fret or so.
Did you ever fix the buzz? What did you do to fix it? I have a similar problem with open chords (G, EM, C) and the G string will buzz at the bridge. I hear the G string louder and it will ring longer than the other strings. As soon as I touch the G string, the buzzing will go away.
I eventually had to replace the frets early last year as they wore down with hard practice. This was done by a chap at Manson's Guitars in Exeter. It improved again the buzz slightly after but it was still there. So, I just tried to accept that was just how it was going to be.......and then when I saw your message the other day I realised that I hadn't noticed it in a while. Divine intervention perhaps!
if you know what your doing grate job, cost cheaper but i prefer to have my guitar serviced . so i have a chance to play on my other guitars that have different strings on. great video thanks
Thanks Sam. Hope your playing is coming along. What guitars have you got?
I think it was time to change that saddle anyway due to the worn grooves I saw in it. Likewise then I’m almost 100% you have worn too deep of grooves in your nut, which is causing your open strings to buzz. A new nut will fix it.
Thanks Pete
Maybe I'm wrong but......
I can't see Eric Clapton ( or
anybody belonging to him )
sitting down with a pair of
Pliers , sandpaper and tape.
Perhaps in the early days....they often adapted things do to lack of money of a quest for the next unique tone. If I had someone I trusted to do a good job I would probably pay for them to get their pliers out!
fix your camera dude ! too too bright cant see shit
Sorry about that laddie....though having the window there would help but seems to have over exposed the image.