C. F. Martin D-28 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1958), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 164223, natural lacquer finish, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This superb playing and fine sounding Martin D-28 dates to late 1958, just as the runaway success of the Kingston Trio was making ownership of this exact instrument a required badge of honor for EVERY aspiring folk guitarist! In previous years Country & Western stars of the day had also made the D-28 their go-to standard, and many top artists would not be seen without one.
After WWII this was the biggest, best and most expensive guitar that Martin made. The elaborate pearl trimmed models were discontinued during the war leaving this comparatively austere rosewood Dreadnought as top of the line. Despite strong competition from Gibson's Jumbos, in the 1950s the D-28 was the final word in a serious flat-top instrument to most professional players.
This example was one of 677 sold in 1958 at the fairly stiff price of $270 (without case). It shows the classic period appointments: multi-layer celluloid binding on the back and top, a long-saddle ebony bridge, "Big-dot" graduated pearl inlaid ebony fingerboard, tortoise pattern Celluloid pickguard and the then brand new "patent pending" Grover Rotomatic tuners. The back and sides feature beautiful straight even-grained Brazilian rosewood, exactly the kind of wood Martin preferred for their best instruments. The beautifully tight and even-grained spruce top would also be considered premium wood today. The mahogany neck is slimmer than some with a noticeable "soft V" profile. A small "Made in USA" stamp on the back of the headstock indicates this was originally an export guitar, probably to Canada.
While this is a fabulous guitar to look at as with most old Martins the real beauty comes in the playing. The D-28 is one of the most respected of all Martin models, and this is a particularly easy playing example. It offers a powerful full-range sound, more responsive than some with a sparkle in the high end while still maintaining a crisp and powerful bass response. This guitar is perfectly suited to period styles including purely acoustic Bluegrass or folk, acoustic/electric Honky Tonk or more modern playing applications; it even makes a good fingerpicker, which some do not particularly excel at. This is a real gem of a primal "Folk-era" D-28, a very smooth player and overall super friendly guitar.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 5 in. (12.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This clean old Martin has seen some light wear and typical maintenance repairs over the past 67 years, but appears very well cared for and likely not actually played all that much. It is a lovely instrument with the original lacquer finish well preserved overall, showing some light checking mostly to the top. The top color has ambered enough to give it the slightly darkened patina typical in this period. The top shows far less of the common pick wear than many, really only noticeable on the lower soundhole rim. The back and sides show some small dings and scratches, except for a pretty deep triple scratch to the back that probably caused whoever did it some sleepless nights!
The headstock has the shadow of some mailbox letters once affixed to the face, really only visible under UV light. There seems to have once been a larger set of Grover tuners installed, now restored to original with a correct set of "Pat Pend." Grover Rotomatics with no errant screw holes. Some small rings and chips on the headstock face are the only evidence of this. There may have been a light overspray to the headstock long ago, but it is hard to say; there is more checking and flaking there than anywhere else but all reads as old lacquer.
Other than these superficial imperfections this D-28 is very nicely preserved, remaining amazingly completely crack-free, which is pretty unusual after more than 6 decades. The neck has been very neatly reset and refretted with the fingerboard trued and a replica bone nut installed. The ebony bridge is a well done later replica, as is the maple bridge plate which is just slightly larger than period spec. The original braces remain perfectly intact. This D-28 is a fine player with a very comfortable action and a powerful sound, brighter than some with a real ring to it. It still resides in the original Lifton hardshell case, which has some Scotch tape repairs to the exterior but remains solid and functional. Overall Very Good + Condition.
