1934 Martin D-28 Steel String Acoustic Guitar-Used

$85,000.00

Details

1934 was the first year Martin made their iconic 14-fret version of the D-28, and this example was the last of a batch of 6 begun on Sept. 13th. Thirty-five years later it was purchased by the player who has owned it ever since, and while it had already seen some changes by that time it's been played a lot in the last 50 years. Conventional wisdom regarding Martin guitar evolution has long been that in 1934 they finally switched from bar stock frets to T frets, and added a T-shaped steel reinforcement in the neck at the same time. But as with most of Martin's production changes, this transition was not quite in lockstep with the calendar, and in August & September of 1934 Martin made at least two small batches of D-28 models with the old bar stock frets, and at least one of them (this guitar) was also given a steel neck rod. We're not sure if the transitional neck construction contributes much, if anything, to the tone and volume of this Dreadnought but it can more than hold its own in any band or jam session.

OK, let's get to the condition and repairs report:
It was given a complete refinish, probably in the 1960s, and although the binding height tells us no wood parts were significantly thinned, the solvents in fresh lacquer resulted in the celluloid binding deterioration you see in these photos. The neck was reset by slipping the neckblock (sometimes called a "California neck reset') and the fingerboard was straightened and refretted (using bar stock frets). Some of the "diamonds & squares" position markers were replaced. The original tuners were replaced decades ago, current gears are nickel Grover Rotomatics, probably from the early 1960s.

Top cracks along the edges of the fingerboard are common on these early 14-fret models without the flat brace just below the neck block. On this example, the repairperson chose to add a thin lamination of spruce all around the neck block , rather than adding a flat brace. There's a very tight, hard-to-see hairline in the lower portion of the neck heel (see photo). Back cracks, which can be seen in these photos, were glued and cleated many years ago and all seem solid. Top crack below bridge on treble side was given similar repair. Top braces are original but original bridge plate has a smaller maple lamination around the bridge pin holes. The bridge is original, as is the pickguard. It is housed in a modern TKL Harptone case.

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