Martin D-28 (1968)

Description

While guitar builders have been trying for decades to replicate its perfectly balanced roar, there's still nothing quite like a vintage Martin D-28 - especially one that still sports Brazilian rosewood on its back and sides. This six-string cannon is still considered the be-all, end-all guitar in the world of bluegrass flatpicking, with thunderous lows, piercing highs, and a warm timbre leaned on and explored by countless players throughout the history of acoustic music. While it may look unassuming, with ultra-traditionalist inlays and appointments, a pre-1969 D-28 is perhaps more capable than any other guitar at letting the music do the talking, and will shine in every application it's used, whether in the recording booth or on stage. We can't wait to hand it off to its next owner.

This guitar has seen extensive work and is definitely geared more towards the player than the collector. A handful of repairs have been made, including a re-glued back, a re-glued bridge, and a reattached and repaired break in the headstock, which still sports a visible seam. There are a handful of repaired and cleated cracks, including one along the guitar's center seam, one on the back near the neck block, another on the back's lower bout, a crack partially obscured by the pickguard, and one on the treble side of the upper bout, which extends down to the pickguard. None of these cracks should re-open provided proper humidification. Several parts are non-original, notably the back binding, the bridgeplate, and the pickguard. A handful of aftermarket alterations have also been made, including scalloping the originally non-scalloped bracing, shaving down the bridge, and a finish sprayover on the sides. A pickup was installed at one point, then removed; as such, the endpin is now non-original.

The general cosmetic condition is average to above average for a guitar of this age, with fine finish checking throughout and a relatively minimal amount of scuffs and dents. The most significant wear appears on the neck around first position, where some finish discoloration has occurred. The set up is very good and errs towards medium-low, with excellent playability all over the neck. Overall, we consider it to be in good condition and feel it makes a perfect all-situations acoustic for the professional musician. Included in the price is the original hard-shell case.

*Please note, per our return policy, all sales on used and consignment instruments are final.*