Martin D-28 (1954)

Description

Few vintage flat-tops command your attention quite like the pre-1969 D-28, and happily, this 1954 model is equal to the task, with a tremendous sound and exceptional class that have set it apart from all the other dreadnaughts on our wall. If you're reading this, you already know the drill - a spruce top (Adirondack on ones of this era) with a mahogany neck and a rosewood back and sides (that's Brazilian rosewood, before Martin stopped importing it in the late 60s). With those premium tonewoods as your starting point, you already have the makings of a legendary instrument, but nearly 80 years of play have opened this instrument up into a real behemoth capable of stopping any show. We do not imagine that it'll stick around our store for long.

This instrument has seen extensive repair and modification, both elective as well as reparative. The most significant repairs include evidence of a professional neck reset (likely performed within the last 20 years), a significant repair to the headstock, which appears to have suffered a major fracture at an indeterminate point in the past, and a handful of small repaired cracks on the back and sides, which should not reopen provided proper humidification. Overall cosmetic wear is generally in line with most guitars of this era, and is relatively even over all planes of the guitar as well as the neck and the headstock.

A number of unusual cosmetic modifications have been made to this instrument. Most notable is the herringbone purfling added to the guitar's top, which is decidedly non-original. The backstripe has also been replaced with a non-original zig-zag style inlay, and the original Waverly tuners have been replaced with non-original Grover Rotomatics, which are not a perfect match (the footprint and pilot holes of the original tuners are still visible on the underside of the headstock). Additionally, we believe the top and headstock were oversprayed after cosmetic modifications were made. A Fishman undersaddle active pickup was installed at some point, likely within the last 15 years.

Accordingly, we consider this instrument to be in good condition. The overall set up, sound, and playability are very good. Included in the price is a non-original hard-shell case.

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