Martin Neck Resets
Premium neck reset services for vintage and modern Martin guitars.
A correct neck angle is essential for playability, tone, and long-term structural health. When the neck angle is too low, the saddle can’t be adjusted, the action becomes unplayable, and the guitar loses clarity, projection, and responsiveness.
A professional neck reset brings your instrument back to life — the way Martin intended.
What You Get From a Professional Neck Reset
Better Playability
A proper reset restores the geometry of the guitar, allowing full control over action height. You can finally adjust your guitar to your playing style — something that is impossible before the reset.
• Improved Intonation
Resetting the neck brings the fingerboard and saddle into correct alignment. This helps your guitar play in tune across the entire fretboard, especially in the upper register.
• More Volume & Projection
With the correct neck angle restored, the top can resonate freely again. Your guitar becomes more open, responsive, and tonally balanced — with noticeably more volume and clarity.
Customer Reviews
Martin Neck Reset – Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Martin needs a neck reset?
Common signs include action that stays high even after a full setup, a saddle that’s already very low, and a neck angle that visually leans forward when you sight down the fingerboard. If your guitar feels stiff, hard to play, or won’t dial in the way it should, it’s a strong candidate for evaluation.
How long does a neck reset take?
Neck resets are multi-step precision jobs. Turnaround depends on current workload and whether additional work is needed (such as fretwork or bridge repairs).
Typical timelines range from 30 to 90 days, but we’ll give you a realistic estimate at check-in and keep you updated throughout the process. If you have a deadline, let us know — we often can meet time-sensitive requests.
What does a Martin neck reset cost?
Most Martin resets follow a consistent price structure, depending on the model, condition, and any extra work required (frets, bridge work, saddle, nut, finish touch-up, etc.).
A standard dovetail Martin neck reset is $990.
Bring your guitar in for an evaluation and we’ll provide a clear written estimate before anything begins.
Will a neck reset change the tone or value of my guitar?
Yes — in a good way. A properly executed reset improves tone, responsiveness, projection, and long-term value. We use traditional C.F. Martin–style methods and preserve original parts and finish whenever possible.
Do you only reset necks on Martin guitars?
This page focuses on Martin neck resets, but we also perform resets on other high-quality acoustics on a case-by-case basis. If you’re unsure, bring the guitar in or contact us — we’ll tell you exactly what’s realistic.
What happens when I bring my guitar in?
We inspect the neck angle, frets, bridge, saddle height, and top geometry, discuss how the guitar plays now and how you want it to feel, and outline the recommended work, timeline, and cost.
Nothing starts until you’ve approved the plan.