1952 Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar - Used

$18,250.00

Details

This is a very nice, solid D-28 with excellent structural integrity and is mostly original. The back, sides, and neck are completely crack-free, and the guitar retains its original finish throughout, with no overspray or touch-up anywhere. It also has its original Kluson “Super” tuners, nut, and pickguard. The pickguard has been reglued by Gryphon.

The neck has been reset and refretted by Gryphon. The lighter streaks visible in the ebony fingerboard are simply the natural color of the wood; the board was not restained after the refret, as Martin originally applied black stain to most of its ebony fingerboards.

Internally, the bridge plate and braces appear untouched since the guitar left Martin’s North Street factory, meaning all the original hide-glue joints are intact. The bridge is the only non-original component. It is very slightly oversized, likely installed to correct the intonation issues commonly found on late-‘40s and early-‘50s Martins. This allows the through-cut saddle to sit securely in the proper position rather than being perched along the front edge of the bridge. There are a few very minor finish scratches around the perimeter of the bridge.

The top has the typical pickguard-shrinkage crack beneath the high E string, just ahead of the bridge. There is also an approximately one-inch hairline separation along the top’s center seam behind the bridge. This is a seam separation rather than a wood crack and is difficult to see.

The original lacquer shows the expected nicks and dings from honest use, but there are no signs of climate abuse or careless handling. Most importantly, this is an excellent-sounding D-28, with plenty of volume, a balanced response, and strong definition and cut in the high strings. It would be especially well suited to flatpicking or rhythm playing where clarity and projection are just as important as the classic D-28 bottom end. It comes with a modern Martin hardshell case.