Martin HD-28LSV (1999)

Description

While Tony Rice's only official signature model may have been the Santa Cruz he helped design, the Martin HD-28LSV is about as close a copy of Tony's iconic 1935 D-28 as any the company's made over the last 50 years. Just like a stock HD-28, this 1999 HD-28LSV utilizes a spruce top with delicately scalloped X-bracing in combination with a rosewood back and sides for the massive, full-bodied tone replete with low end that every flatpicker yearns for. But it's not Tony's guitar without a big ol' soundhole - and the giant one in the top of this guitar is carved to the same dimensions as Tony's pre-war herringbone. It notably also has a 30's V-style neck for a rustic contour that guides the player's thumb and opens up the left hand, as well as the iconic bound fingerboard from Tony's guitar, which has typically been reserved for the D-35 over the last 60 years of Martin's history.

This instrument arrived in our store on the upper end of good condition, with about the average amount of cosmetic wear and structural damage of one now approaching 30 years of age. There are two large top cracks, which extend from the bottom of the lower bout up, with one reaching the bottom of the bridge and the other stopping just short. There is also a large crack on the back, which extends up from the bottom of the guitar to roughly its waist. These cracks have been glued, sealed, and cleated, and should not reopen provided proper care by the guitar's next owner.

Overall cosmetic condition is on the lower end of very good, although there is a decal of an ant to the left of the pickguard, and some very minor red staining on the guitar's back treble shoulder. The finish is beginning to pull into the wood at about the expected rate, and some shrinkage is obvious to the touch around the guitar's binding. The endpin is a black non-original replacement; most likely a pickup was installed and then removed at some point in the past, and the original endpin was not saved. This instrument plays very well in all positions, with low, comfortable action. Included in the price is a non-original Martin hard-shell case, which actually predates the guitar. This case is in structurally good condition and has had a number of stickers attached to the front, which we have neglected to remove (see photo).

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