Heel pin placement-Martin

Subject: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 03:17 PM

My memory may be fading a bit, but was there a thread about where to put heel pins on Martin guitars?

Martin is not helpful as they don't provide a heel pin and their care instrucions don't mention anything about them.

Any help/suggestions on this subject would be helpful.

W.E.

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: Justa Picker
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 03:29 PM

If your instrument is for a "righty" I have it on very good authority, that the pin should be about half way up the heel, on the LEFT side. Reverse all of this if your instrument is for a "lefty". Having the pin on this side of the heel virtually eliminates the possibility of your guitar strap coming loose.

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 05:02 PM

Do you mean left side as the side that is facing down when I'm holding it to play? I'm confused.

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: IvanB
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 05:10 PM

Mine was installed by Elderly's repair shop when I bought the guitar and it's about 3/4 of the way up the heel on the side that's down when I'm playing. Works well for me.

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 05:14 PM

Thanks for the help Justa and IvanB!

W.E.

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: Justa Picker
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 06:00 PM

Yes, the side closest to the floor, when holding the guitar in playing position.

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 06:02 PM

It's been answered, but once again, Frank Ford does a superb job of explainig it with excellent pictures on THESE THREE PAGES

Spaw

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: Justa Picker
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 06:04 PM

W.E.
Have a look here.

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 07:41 PM

Frank Ford, he da man, for sure, but he omitted one option, which is the one I would take if maximizing the resale value of the Martin was a consideration.

Remove the heel cap, which may be rosewood. ivoroid or whatever depending on the model (or get a luthier to do it,) and put it somewhere safe. Then drill your pilot hole and fit the strap pin.

When you want to sell it, re-cap the heel with the original veneer and bingo ! Pristine condition.

The disadvantage, as Frank Ford points out is that this position is not actually the most effective location for the pin, as the guitar does have a tendency to tilt forward.

Murray

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: Justa Picker
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:06 PM

Well spoken Murray.

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:18 PM

Gee JP....we cross posted there....I linked FF when (surprisingly) you didn't in your first post. But we all agree as Murray says, "He da' man!!!"

............although I did hear of some guy named Tony who has a strap button screwed up his ass. Know anything about that Murray?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Heel pin placement-Martin
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:20 PM

I should have said that this Tony guy also has an end pin wedged in his navel and a strap running between the two.....Makes him easy to throw out of the joints he plays.

Spaw