1913 Martin 0-28 Brazilian Rosewood, Adirondack Spruce, Herringbone Trim w Ditson Provenance!

Here is a very unique and highly unusual 1913 Martin 0-28, featuring a rare combination of classic pre-war Martin construction and distinctive custom-style appointments.

As expected for the period, this guitar is built with Brazilian rosewood back and sides and an Adirondack spruce top, along with traditional X-braced construction, herringbone trim, snowflake inlays, and a zigzag backstrip. It carries all the hallmarks of an early high-grade Martin from the pre-war era.

What makes this example especially interesting are its non-standard decorative and structural features, including a Spanish-style bridge and checkerboard marquetry accents on both the bridge and the center seam, giving it a far more ornate and individualized appearance than a typical 0-28 of this period.

It also features a very striking Oliver Ditson gold interior tag reading “Specifically made for Oliver Ditson Co… Boston… New York.” While we do not believe this guitar was part of a formal Ditson-branded production run, it strongly suggests some level of involvement or customization history, adding another layer of intrigue to its story.

Important Condition Notes / Project Status

While visually impressive and historically fascinating, this guitar is being offered as a project instrument requiring light restoration work.

Most notably, it will need a neck reset, and it retains its original bar frets, which are currently uneven as is typical. There is evidence of a light shellac application on the top from a previous owner, which appears it could be removed if desired during restoration.

Structurally, there is one older repaired top crack, along with three hairline back cracks, which currently do not appear to be active or flexing.

Despite these issues, the guitar remains a highly desirable and visually distinctive pre-war Martin platform, especially for a player or restorer looking for something far outside the norm.

It comes with a nice newer hardshell case.

The Details

• Condition: Project / Restoration Required
• Originality: Original construction with later cosmetic/finish work noted
• Top: Adirondack Spruce
• Back & Sides: Brazilian Rosewood
• Bracing: X-Braced
• Trim: Herringbone with Snowflake Inlays
• Bridge: Spanish-Style Bridge (non-standard)
• Notes: Oliver Ditson gold tag; checkerboard marquetry; bar frets; neck reset required

Playability & Sound

Even in its current condition, this guitar retains clear signs of strong vintage tonal character, with the potential for a rich, open, and powerful pre-war Martin voice once properly restored. As it sits, playability is limited due to setup and fret condition.

Why Buy From Kansas City Vintage Guitars?

We specialize in high-quality vintage and modern guitars for collectors and serious players alike. With over 25 years in the guitar business, we focus on accurate descriptions, originality, and transparency.

• Expert Packing: We take pride in packing guitars safely and securely
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Thanks from KC Vintage Guitars!