Hey guys....I know I'm new around here...but I've been really pleased with recent replies to a few of my posts, so I figure this might be the best place to get an answer. I'm a member of quite a few guitar message boards, but you guys are definitely a knowledgeable bunch...so here goes.
I've been playing and collecting electrics for over 25 years now...and in all that time, I've probably only had 3 or 4 acoustics, total. In 1997, my band at the time had just split up, and I was a bit more interested in learning to play..and sing. Being on my own, going the acoustic route was kinda what I was into, and all I had was a cheap Ovation knock-off. So I gathered up a little money and bought a Takamine acoustic. It was a nice guitar, and I've had it since then.
Then about 2 months ago, I walked into the acoustic room of a local Sam Ash, and there was this Martin that wasn't crazy expensive (like a lot of them)...it wasn't cheap either...but reasonable. (model DC-1E). For the next few weeks, I was contemplating buying it...and finally broke down and dropped my cash. They gave me a half way decent trade on that 97 Takamine, so I had to do it.
Since I've got this guitar, I've had nothing but problems, and I'm starting to think it's something I'm doing. I had to take it back 3 times in a month for setups...every time, the guitar would start to buzz (up around the 10th to the 15th frets, on the first two strings) after about a week of playing. After the third return trip, they swapped it out for another one. At first, I thought I just had a lemon..but now that I've had this second one for about 2 weeks, the same thing is starting to happen.
This is a beautiful guitar...but it's not like a lot of acoustics...it's a satin/flat finish all over (not sure what to call it)...I can post the specs if you'd like. In any event, it's a wonderful sounding guitar...but this fret buzz that starts after about a week or two is driving me nuts.
I should also mention..the first guitar that I got was new from the factory..they had sold the one on the wall before I got there, so I had them order it direct from Nazareth, PA. The second guitar had only been on the wall since i got the first one...so neither were in the store for a long time..and neither got a lot of play before I got em (the first getting none). You can still smell the glue on both.
I also should mention...I don't keep it in the case...a bunch of my guitars (much to my wife's dismay) are on stands in my living room. It's winter here in NJ, and the heat is always on..it's pretty dry. I'm wondering if this is having an effect on this DC-1E. Maybe over time this will fix itself.
I just find it hard to believe that I got two lemons in a row. Maybe one..but two just sounds a bit out of the ordinary. I'd sure love to hear some of your thoughts on this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Maybe I should have one of those little humidifiers...or something similar. I hate to put it in the case, as the case is in the basement, and if I do put it away, it'll probably never get any play. I'm contemplating just taking it back and getting another guitar altogether (but I will have to do it soon if i do)...But I will say..I doubt I'm going to find something that sounds as good as this in the same price range (approx. $1100).
Thanks guys.
Todd
I've been playing and collecting electrics for over 25 years now...and in all that time, I've probably only had 3 or 4 acoustics, total. In 1997, my band at the time had just split up, and I was a bit more interested in learning to play..and sing. Being on my own, going the acoustic route was kinda what I was into, and all I had was a cheap Ovation knock-off. So I gathered up a little money and bought a Takamine acoustic. It was a nice guitar, and I've had it since then.
Then about 2 months ago, I walked into the acoustic room of a local Sam Ash, and there was this Martin that wasn't crazy expensive (like a lot of them)...it wasn't cheap either...but reasonable. (model DC-1E). For the next few weeks, I was contemplating buying it...and finally broke down and dropped my cash. They gave me a half way decent trade on that 97 Takamine, so I had to do it.
Since I've got this guitar, I've had nothing but problems, and I'm starting to think it's something I'm doing. I had to take it back 3 times in a month for setups...every time, the guitar would start to buzz (up around the 10th to the 15th frets, on the first two strings) after about a week of playing. After the third return trip, they swapped it out for another one. At first, I thought I just had a lemon..but now that I've had this second one for about 2 weeks, the same thing is starting to happen.
This is a beautiful guitar...but it's not like a lot of acoustics...it's a satin/flat finish all over (not sure what to call it)...I can post the specs if you'd like. In any event, it's a wonderful sounding guitar...but this fret buzz that starts after about a week or two is driving me nuts.
I should also mention..the first guitar that I got was new from the factory..they had sold the one on the wall before I got there, so I had them order it direct from Nazareth, PA. The second guitar had only been on the wall since i got the first one...so neither were in the store for a long time..and neither got a lot of play before I got em (the first getting none). You can still smell the glue on both.
I also should mention...I don't keep it in the case...a bunch of my guitars (much to my wife's dismay) are on stands in my living room. It's winter here in NJ, and the heat is always on..it's pretty dry. I'm wondering if this is having an effect on this DC-1E. Maybe over time this will fix itself.
I just find it hard to believe that I got two lemons in a row. Maybe one..but two just sounds a bit out of the ordinary. I'd sure love to hear some of your thoughts on this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Maybe I should have one of those little humidifiers...or something similar. I hate to put it in the case, as the case is in the basement, and if I do put it away, it'll probably never get any play. I'm contemplating just taking it back and getting another guitar altogether (but I will have to do it soon if i do)...But I will say..I doubt I'm going to find something that sounds as good as this in the same price range (approx. $1100).
Thanks guys.
Todd
