C. F. Martin D-28 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1959), made in Nazareth, PA, natural lacquer finish, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
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 is a very good playing old Martin with some moderate wear overall, and one notable eccentricity. This rather obvious feature is an oversize "Hillbilly" pickguard made of period tortoise celluloid, that appears to have been there since the guitar was new. According to the original owner, this was done at the Martin factory when he ordered the guitar. While we can't absolutely verify this, there does not appear to ever have been any finish underneath it, and the original lacquer follows the edge of the celluloid piece. The guitar had a long Bluegrass career behind it and has been well played but also well cared for; amazingly there are no cracks or notable damage. The instrument has had its 10,000 mile checkup a recent refret and a neck set, and playability is excellent. The bridge is a period Martin bridge but is not original to the guitar, although now the only evidence of the replacement is some marks around the edges where the original was removed to the guitar. There is a pick wear spot under the treble side of the bridge which has some fairly obtrusive patching finish over it, but the remainder of the finish is all original with some general wear. There is some pick scratching to the top, and the back has a patch of belt buckle wear down to the bare wood (The original owner most likely wore a cowboy belt buckle!), and there is some wear down to the bare wood on the back of the neck in the lower position. Overall this is a very fine old D-28 with a somewhat eccentric past but a very fine sound, complete with a nice OHSC. Excellent - Condition.
