C.F. Martin Guitars: A Repair Guide - by Patrick DiBurro

This book is very good and you should own it if you repair guitars.I haven't read every word yet but the sections I have read (both on things I didn't know about and things I do all the time) I can tell its full of amazingly helpful knowledge. I did, however, notice two rather glaring and surprising omissions, which should have been included, and can't fathom why they aren't. I only say these things because this book is the immediate repair bible for Martin guitars it should include such things.Before I tear the book a new chapter, I should say that all info in this book is excellent.The first omission is chapter(s) on top, back and side cracks, when to use or not use cleats and why and splints ( i.e grafting in a slither of new wood to fill a crack too wide for glue alone to handle. My only thought is that, at least with cracks and cleats it was deemed rather mundane and knowledge you should already know (which I do) but the book would be better served with an extra 20 pages outlining these common things. He does include two pages (195-96) of photographs (with minimal captions) showing clamping solutions for cracks and he also outline his procedure for dealing with extension cracks (chapter 9-) which is welcome (and a very good chapter among many very good chapters) and perhaps he thought this was enough talk about crack repair? But I disagree. Some fuller detailing would have been an excellent addition.The second omission is something guitar repairs know about (or should) however it should have warranted at least a sentence or two, and that is that Martin bridges were glued on at the factory in the wrong place for approximately 10 years 1968-78 (some have been found into 1980 apparently).Some other annoyances which would have made this book better (These are more suggestions for a 2nd edition and perhaps the author can mention them in the comments so owners can hand write it in their books)1- At least text box of common Martin bridge heights would be nice.2- Chapter 2 is focuses on techniques for bridge reglues and Page 23 is dedicated to Bridge glue on HPL soundboards. The page has 3 pictures, one of which is a picture of a bottle of glue (Loctite 4210) with the caption "On a repair bench in the Repair Department [of Martin factory] is a bottle of Loctite 4210 instant adhesive....This is not a recommended glue for securing bridges to HPL." Then goes on to simply say a clear CA with a thick viscosity should be used for attaching the bridge. This whole page makes me reconsider if I had smoked crack and forgot I did. A polite suggestion- DON'T show me a pic of a bottle of CA glue and tell me I shouldn't use it. Just show me a pic of the specific thick viscosity CA glue you use for this job!3- Pages 30-33 on removing finish to achieve 100% bridge footprint. You have unnecessarily doubled up photos. 6 of the pics could certainly be made 3. (I'm mentioned this as doing so you just freed up over a page which could be dedicated to....top, back, side cracks.4- I noticed a lack of typical heat temps and duration used for eg, the use of heat blankets for bridge plate removal. This would benefit the book.5- Extension wedges- a nice section but I was expecting at least a few sentences of when to and not to use them- ie what is the most fallaway amount he (or the Martin repair department) accepts before he decides to use a wedge. The section makes a point of necessity of checking this, but gives no measurements.Lastly, apologies if the book contains these things and I somehow missed them.Still, I 100% recommend this book.Beau Hannam Guitars

Pat has written a very well illustrated and informative book. This provides the best information on Martin Guitar repair that has ever been consolidated in one place. It is extremely well documented for different eras and models of guitars. And provides decades of the best practices followed by Martin employees in the factory making warranty repairs. I recommend it without reservation.

I learned to repair acoustic instruments over many years of trial and error, extensive reading, and working out what worked best for me. I was pleased to find some of the techniques I thought I invented being used by Martin. It was also reassuring to find some techniques I thought were cheating endorsed (such as using hide glue to fill some small cracks). If you are a serious luthier this is not even close to the only reference you will need, but it will be a valuable and authoritative addition to your bookshelf.

A lot of good pictures and techniques for repairing vintage and new models of Martin guitars. If you’re a working repair person, this book needs to be in your library!