Buzzing Martin

TCK

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I have an OLD Martin 3M that was given to me a long time ago. It is in wonderful condition, but now that I have a few songs under my belt, I realize while it is the certainly the brightest (nice and plucky, loud) sounding Uke in my collection (and certainly the most valuable), it is not the one I want to play...I figure something is wrong when my Makala is my go to. Anyway, it is loud and plucky, wood is in good nick, I have deduced it is the fingerboard that is giving me grief.
It buzzes like crazy- even if I am not trying to rock star it. Here is what I have tried:
Aquila Nylgut...those lasted 2 weeks, sounded terrible
Worth Browns- medium. These are better- not great.
I have Martin Flourocarbons to try next. It sounded best with 15 year old GHS strings...I threw them away before they destroyed my hands.
What I know:
It is about 70 years old
It has tuners that are less functional than desired, which is OK, I can tune it fast now
It has wear marks on the top frets (literally it has been played enough that there are indentations in the frets).
The bone saddle has indentations in it where the strings sit- I think this is the problem:confused:
The action is lower at the top frets than it is at the bottom ones (indicating that the nut is just as worn as the saddle?)
Anyway- I want it to sound as good as it looks, so my questions are ten fold I suppose:
First- can I string something this old with high tension strings? I am thinking Worth high tensions here, clear or brown
Second, the bridge has been in there for 70 years- is it easy to replace?
Third, should I be replacing parts on it? As an un-restored original I realize it is worth a note or two...but as an un-played diamond sitting in the case, it is a paperweight to me.
Fourth- I am really not going to mess with it (as I will mess it up and never forgive myself. I am going to take it to a reputable luthier and have it "tuned up"...who would that be in Sonoma County California?
Thanks in advance- Dave

Oh yeah, pics of her are on my profile- really cool old Uke so money is no object getting her to play.
The old girl
And some detail shots
 
OK, I take a crack at this. I have a handful of vintage ukes but I am no expert!

First, take this to a luthier who understands ukulele's. Most often guitar guys just don't get it and make well intentioned repairs or changes that are harmful to a uke....

It isn't uncommon for it to have indentations on the saddle. Also, the action must be higher as you move down the fretboard toward the soundhole....what you describe sounds normal.

I don't think it would be a problem to use high tension strings. Your bridge looks solid and bridge problems are NOT typical of old Martins as far as I know.

Why would you want to replace the bridge??? It looks fine. It would seriously devalue the uke and that is the bridge that belongs there. If it is lifting it should be properly fixed but not replaced. If you want to replace the saddle, that might be a possibility but I try to keep a vintage uke as original as possible. It may not be removable as some saddles are glued in. I wonder if taking it to a good luthier might easily put it right without changing anything. Maybe a fret is high or the buzz is caused by something else.

This is a beautiful, high-end vintage uke and I realize that you aren't playing it much but if it were repaired I bet you would play it. In my humble opinion, if you don't want to play it, sell it to someone who would play and enjoy it and take the money (which is a lot) and buy a uke that you love! Hope that helps a little....
 
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The Martin 3 is a nice uke and collectible. The main thing is that the neck is good. If your neck is not straight and true, that would be the cause of your ills. Check it by holding the body with the lower bout at about eye level and sight down the neck with the headstock away from you. Is the neck twisted at all? Is it bowed in or out? Look at the distance between the strings and the fretboard, are they all about the same distance between the strings and frets?

To answer your question about high-tension strings, you don't have to worry. Aquila Nylguts are about the highest tension you can put on your uke and they won't hurt it.

If the neck is out, a "hot press" can fix it, but that is something best left to Martin.

If the neck is good, Martin can also replace the nut and saddle if needed, which will not really de-value your uke.
 
Aloha Dave,
If you believe it's not the strings or the bowing of the neck, I'd take it to a local luthier or music shop for their opinion.
and see what they have to say....but I definetely send it to martin to repair for such an expensive uke so they can put
it back to specs again and someone else won't devalue it and ruin your family heirloom....you won't be sorry...until the bill arrives maybe..
In hope this helps..Good Luck!! MM Stan..
 
My guess: Take a dentist's mirror and have a look inside. Sounds like lose bracing anywhere inside. This would be a very easy fix for any luthier/guitar maker! Don't change bridge! Event if it's made by Martin, you'll loose value!
Kind regards, SR
 
It has wear marks on the top frets (literally it has been played enough that there are indentations in the frets).
Dave, if there are indentations in the frets, which never happens with correct strings!-that means, sb in the past used metal strings as used for mandolin.. To much tension, to sharp for Uke.. Do you know, if this could be?
SR
 
oops. sorry, I understood you meant fret wires..
Fret indentions are quite normal, when uke was played with to longe finger nails rhand
SR
 
The OP said that there are dents in the frets, dents in the saddle and wear at the nut. This combination would almost certainly cause buzz.

Saddle and nut should be easy for a luthier (I'd try it myself if they came off easily), and you can keep the old saddle and nut if you're worried about resale value.

Worn frets probably need replacing, but I'd do these one at a time: saddle first, then nut, then frets.

If you take it to a luthier, it's probably most economical to get all done together.
 
Thanks all- great suggestions here, and yes, this is going to a Luthier regardless of the cost (now to find one)
I would NEVER replace the bridge...I know I said that, but I meant saddle, sorry for the heart attacks (totally new at this). The saddle is indented really bad and I think that might be the problem.
I will certainly look for loose bracing, I have felt none, but the dentist mirror...genius!
As for the Aqillas @ Pippin...I find these to be really loose, am I missing something?
@ Sir ROy- the fret wires are literally indented. I am certain it was never strung with any offending steels as I also have quite a collection of 70 year old gut strings (see picks)...this old gal was PLAYED, a lot.
Stan- someday, beers and an old Martin for sure man, you just tell me when you are in Cali :)
ProfChris- I am thinking you are dead on here...off to the Luthier we go, as the neck seems straight and all other problems mentioned seem to not exist. The saddle is in there pretty good as is the nut, and I fear messing up the unrestored original finish, so I figure someone with insurance can mess with it.
As for sale- I would never sell this Uke- here's why (Ryan, I know I gave ya heart failure with my communication miss-steps...but this is the Uke I love, I promise- I just want her sorted)
An Old Ukulele
Don't care if it is a paperweight forever...it stays here.
Again- now to find one that is in Sonoma County (or off to Martin she goes)- Stan, you know how to send it to it's birthplace? Need that info if possible.
Thanks all- Dave
 
Thanks all- great suggestions here, and yes, this is going to a Luthier regardless of the cost (now to find one)
I would NEVER replace the bridge...I know I said that, but I meant saddle, sorry for the heart attacks (totally new at this). The saddle is indented really bad and I think that might be the problem.
I will certainly look for loose bracing, I have felt none, but the dentist mirror...genius!
As for the Aqillas @ Pippin...I find these to be really loose, am I missing something?
@ Sir ROy- the fret wires are literally indented. I am certain it was never strung with any offending steels as I also have quite a collection of 70 year old gut strings (see picks)...this old gal was PLAYED, a lot.
Stan- someday, beers and an old Martin for sure man, you just tell me when you are in Cali :)
ProfChris- I am thinking you are dead on here...off to the Luthier we go, as the neck seems straight and all other problems mentioned seem to not exist. The saddle is in there pretty good as is the nut, and I fear messing up the unrestored original finish, so I figure someone with insurance can mess with it.
As for sale- I would never sell this Uke- here's why (Ryan, I know I gave ya heart failure with my communication miss-steps...but this is the Uke I love, I promise- I just want her sorted)
An Old Ukulele
Don't care if it is a paperweight forever...it stays here.
Again- now to find one that is in Sonoma County (or off to Martin she goes)- Stan, you know how to send it to it's birthplace? Need that info if possible.
Thanks all- Dave

Aloha Bruddah Dave,
Here is their main number, they can direct you to the repair shop..
Martin Guitar Company
510 Sycamore Street
Nazareth, Pa. 18064
Telephone# 610-759-2837
I used to have their number for their special orders dept...can't find it now, it was good number since it was a 1-800 number..I'd give them
a call first and discuss the matter directly to them...they are very helpful....
I will try and look around my desk for it..
I hope this helps!! Good Luck!! MM Stan..
 
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Glad to hear how much you love that Martin! Do you ever get down to the East Bay? I know an AMAZING luthier in Concord.....top notch! Mike DaSilva does top notch work too!

If you ever make it down this way, we should jam! Keep us updated on the progress of your uke. If you need the name of the luthier I know, just PM me.
 
Two calls for Mike DaSilva...sounds like that is my first stop. Thank you uke5417 and Ryan. Looks like a Berkeley trip is coming soon :)
Thank you Stan for Martin's stats as well- want this thing to play the way it ought to. Stoked to hit Berkeley and check out Mike, skate the parks, and maybe a beer and some jamming with Ryan...
I am terrible, but funny, I promise.
Cheers folks and thanks for all the info-
Dave
 
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