Another one of those "why didn't someone think of this before" products, the Martin Fretrest Guitar Care System turns any coffee table into a specialized acoustic guitar repair station. It is easy to use, nicely portable and fits on top of any flat surface large enough to support an acoustic guitar.
Whenever I am in a guitar store or at my guitar tech's shop I will watch someone set a guitar down on one of those tables that has the special rest for the neck. It allows the guitar to sit securely, tilted up a bit, so they can more easily change the strings, adjust the truss rod or get inside the body with a mirror to check things out or make repairs. I have often wished I had one of them myself, but I simply would have no place to put it. I thought, "Why can't they make one of those tables that can disappear when I am through using it?" Well my wish was finally granted, thanks to the Martin Fretrest Guitar Care System.
Basically it consists of a soft, 30.5" x 18" pad made from nonabrasive, black foam and a neck rest made of hard plastic; 5" tall and rising from a 4" square base. There is a circular hole at one end of the pad, which fits over the neck rest, keeping the two securely connected until you are ready to put it away. The pad is also embossed with the classic C.F. Martin & Co. script logo in navy blue, which suits me just fine since I only play guitars made by Martin. And once you are finished it rolls right up for easy, out of the way storage.
The rest itself has a cradle for the guitar's neck lined with similar foam. It is the ideal height and at least allows one to feel like a true guitar repairman even if they never do anything more complicated than changing strings or applying polish. The rest also has a plastic lid at the bottom. Pull it out and you have a convenient compartment for string clippers, a winder, finish restorer or polish and any other small items you wish keep on hand when doing your various guitar maintenance.
I have always hated changing strings, but this new Martin Fretrest makes it much easier. I may even get up the nerve to start doing my own truss rod adjustments, fret dressing or saddle changes. I like to sit on the sofa and put the Fretrest on my coffee table when changing strings, but I also have a taller table to use when attempting more complicated work.
The Martin Fretrest Guitar Care System comes in a plastic tube that holds both the rolled up pad and the neck rest/storage compartment. It is referred to as the "storage tube". However, I have rolled that pad up tighter than a tick and I still cannot get it back in the tube. The foam is soft enough that it could tear if I try to force it in. I did my best and the edges going into the tube kept trying to roll back. I ultimately gave up as I did not want to risk any damage to the pad. So for now I am just keeping it in a plastic trash bag, which seems to work just fine. I would be curious to know if other customers have had the same problem and what possible solutions they came up with.
I find the Martin Fretrest a good solution for guitarists who do not have their own repair workshop they can keep permanently set up. It would be a very nice gift. However, I wish the pad itself was made of something more durable. The lightweight foam will not scratch or harm guitar finishes and it rolls up easily. But it seems obvious that it could be cut or torn without much effort. As such, one should use care when setting it up or putting it away. This is particularly true if they are determined to get it back in that so-called storage tube.
Out of a possible 8 Notes on the T Spoon Scale of Guitaracity, I am giving the Martin Fretrest Guitar Care System a worthy 5 Notes.
TSP, NYC
