1947 Martin D-28
Herringbone, zig-zag back strip, and a serial number with one less digit are pretty much all that differentiates a 1946 from a 1947 Martin D-28. Oh, and about ten thousand dollars. Players looking for the most D-28 tone that a reasonable amount of money can buy are smart to check out the early post-war, non-herringbone 28's. With their tapered bracing and wonderfully comfortable necks, these guitars remain some of the most sought after dreadnoughts out there.
With its beautifully aged finish, perfectly quartered rosewood, and elegant Lifton case, this 1947 Martin D-28 makes for one attractive package. That it plays easily, and sounds as incredible as it does, turns the appeal up exponentially. It's simply a great sounding and looking vintage Martin, and one that has all the power and throat a flatpicking guitar ought to have.
Brazilian rosewood back and sides, taper-braced sitka spruce top, ebony fingerboard and bridge. The guitar's only repaired crack is visible at the inside margin of the pickguard (surprise); the body is otherwise crack-free and in excellent condition. The bridge is an attractive reproduction Martin factory part that was installed by David Musslewhite, who also reset the guitar's neck a number of years back. The saddle slot was filled and recut by Folkway a few years ago, and new bone saddle installed.
There is minor and very localized overspray adjacent to the neck heel, and a small touch up by the heel cap. Neither of these finish repairs are particularly noticeable, and were thus hard to photograph. Two sections of the top's X brace have been well reglued, and the early 1950's Kluson tuning machines are lovely, but not original to the guitar. You'll discover the original Waffle-back Kluson footprints and filled screwholes peeking out from under the current tuners' baseplates. Frets appear to have been replaced, and are in fine condition. Original nut and red-eye bridge pins. Bridge plate is original and in good shape. Original finish throughout, with the aforementioned minor touch-ups.
It's a guitar with excellent headroom and power, throaty response through the mids, and an open and well-matured bass. It is wetter in overtones than the straight-braced 28's built a year later and beyond, and has added character, bass end, and expressiveness as a result. The taper-braced guitars offer a tone that is unique among Martin dreadnoughts.
Full feeling neck with a carve that's deeper and more rounded than the wartime versions, and quite specific to 1947 Martin production. 1-11/16" nut, 25.4" scale. Action currently set to 5-7 64ths under medium gauge string tension; there is between 1/16" and 3/32" of saddle height above the full-thickness bridge.
With original Lifton hardshell case
Shipping into the USA?
Sending this guitar to a US address is easy to do, and there are no import fees, taxes, or duties to pay when it arrives. We take care of everything involved in shipping – all you have to do unpackage the instrument when it arrives and play!
Questions? Email us anytime, or call us toll-free at 1-855-772-0424.
With its beautifully aged finish, perfectly quartered rosewood, and elegant Lifton case, this 1947 Martin D-28 makes for one attractive package. That it plays easily, and sounds as incredible as it does, turns the appeal up exponentially. It's simply a great sounding and looking vintage Martin, and one that has all the power and throat a flatpicking guitar ought to have.
Brazilian rosewood back and sides, taper-braced sitka spruce top, ebony fingerboard and bridge. The guitar's only repaired crack is visible at the inside margin of the pickguard (surprise); the body is otherwise crack-free and in excellent condition. The bridge is an attractive reproduction Martin factory part that was installed by David Musslewhite, who also reset the guitar's neck a number of years back. The saddle slot was filled and recut by Folkway a few years ago, and new bone saddle installed.
There is minor and very localized overspray adjacent to the neck heel, and a small touch up by the heel cap. Neither of these finish repairs are particularly noticeable, and were thus hard to photograph. Two sections of the top's X brace have been well reglued, and the early 1950's Kluson tuning machines are lovely, but not original to the guitar. You'll discover the original Waffle-back Kluson footprints and filled screwholes peeking out from under the current tuners' baseplates. Frets appear to have been replaced, and are in fine condition. Original nut and red-eye bridge pins. Bridge plate is original and in good shape. Original finish throughout, with the aforementioned minor touch-ups.
It's a guitar with excellent headroom and power, throaty response through the mids, and an open and well-matured bass. It is wetter in overtones than the straight-braced 28's built a year later and beyond, and has added character, bass end, and expressiveness as a result. The taper-braced guitars offer a tone that is unique among Martin dreadnoughts.
Full feeling neck with a carve that's deeper and more rounded than the wartime versions, and quite specific to 1947 Martin production. 1-11/16" nut, 25.4" scale. Action currently set to 5-7 64ths under medium gauge string tension; there is between 1/16" and 3/32" of saddle height above the full-thickness bridge.
With original Lifton hardshell case
Shipping into the USA?
Sending this guitar to a US address is easy to do, and there are no import fees, taxes, or duties to pay when it arrives. We take care of everything involved in shipping – all you have to do unpackage the instrument when it arrives and play!
Questions? Email us anytime, or call us toll-free at 1-855-772-0424.