Up for sale we have an absolutely stunning sounding vintage Martin D-28 from the production year 1939. The bridge plate, braces and all internals are original and in excellent condition. The original Adirondack top has no signs of excessive bellying. A few issues keep this example from being a six figure guitar - priced very fairly to reflect the repairs described below.
- Recent neck reset and refret. Perfectly carved new nut and saddle installed at that time.
- In the 60’s the original owner installed a soundhole pickup. Two 1/4” holes were drilled for fitment of a volume and tone control knob.
- According to famed Martin expert and luthier John Arnold, who knows this guitar well as it was local to him in Tennessee for years, the guitar was sent to Martin in 1968 at which time the holes were patched and the guitar was refinished. A new pick guard was fitted as well.
The 50+ plus year old extremely thin nitro finish has acquired a wonderful matte patina with subtle weather checking and glows brightly under a black light.
Meaty Medium C neck carve with 1 11/16” wide nut, this neck is much more comfortable and substantial than the typical slim 1940-1945 neck carves that typically came from Martin shortly after this guitar was produced.
Tight straight grained quarter sawn Brazilian rosewood back and sides are as gorgeous as it gets and photographs can’t do them justice.
Very solid example with only a single small 4” crack in the Brazilian rosewood at the back near lower edge which is glued and completely stable. There’s also a small 2” crack at the very edge of the lower bout at the 6th string side which is also glued and stable.
Playability is perfect with a medium setup of 0.95” 6th string 12th fret and 0.7” 1st string at 12th fret. Relief is also perfect at 0.007” - this guitar could not play smoother or faster with it’s frets having 95% life left.
The sound is monstrous - big booming low end and singing angelic highs as you’d expect from a prewar herringbone. Sustain as only old wood with a steel T bar can provide. A true flatpicking Cannon indeed.
This is one of the very best sounding dreadnoughts I’ve encounter and will make the serious player as well as vintage Martin collector alike exceedingly happy with its tone and feel.
Comes with an old school Hank Price flight case which is extremely safe for shipment. The guitar will be professionally packed and shipped fully insured.
The Martin D-28 is an absolute benchmark dreadnought, and early D-28s rank as some of the most collectable acoustic guitars ever. When Martin introduced the D-28 in 1931, it laid the groundwork for where the acoustic guitar industry would go. Very few D-28s were made in the first several years of production, up until a switch was made from a 12-fret to a 14-fret neck in 1934. By 1943, other changes include a decrease in nut width and the use of scalloped bracing.
Years of Production: 1931 - present
Specific to this Era: Scalloped bracing and metal truss rods introduced between 1942 and 1944.
Body Style: Dreadnought
Wood Composition: Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, 1-piece mahogany neck
Notable Players: Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley
