1913 Martin 0-28

Serial # 11784. A gracefully complex instrument, with deep hues in its tonal palette; and maturity, richness, and warmth. A very expressive Martin guitar, intimate, subtle and dark, with empty-room sustain and overtone. Built in an era when Frank Henry Martin personally signed the tops of his company’s guitars - but still only signed some 200 a year – it is exceedingly finely and lightly constructed, with expertly lapped braces, carved headstock, and ivory trim.
Set up with silk and steel strings, the guitar plays easily and cleanly. It has just emerged from our repair shop after neck reset, new bar frets, reproduction pyramid bridge with age appropriate notched-end drop-in saddle, and an exact replica maple bridge plate (complete with sawmarks, aging, and perfect lapping beneath the x-brace. Years ago the instrument’s body was finely refinished and its bridge replaced, but the guitar is otherwise original and in excellent condition with no cracks. Neck finish is most likely original, back and side finish is aged lacquer that has a 1940’s look. The original ivory nut’s string slots have been repaired and re-cut for the silk and steel strings, and the original bridge pins are fitted into the new bridge.

Brazilian rosewood back and sides, Red spruce top, mahogany neck with 24.9” scale and 1-13/16” nut. Hand engraved nickel-silver tuning machines with ivoroid buttons, slotted diamond fingerboard inlays, herringbone top trim and zig-zag backstrip.

The guitar’s smaller size (about 13.5” wide), light build and light steel strings, comfortable V-shaped neck with wide nut, and radiussed fingerboard make for an exceptionally comfortable playing experience. It’s a guitar that requires very little effort, and offers phenomenal tone even under a light touch.

With hardshell case

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