1931 Martin 0028 (consignment) SOLD



Comments Here’s a rare treat – a 1931 Martin 0028.

Adding to the value and historical interest of this instrument is a set of photos of the original owner playing it while in the Canadian Forces in the European Theater during World War 2!

Martin introduced the 00-28 in 1898, and produced it until 1941. It’s been produced in very small numbers in a few years since then. Originally all 00-28s were made with Brazilian Rosewood backs and sides. In 1977, this changed to Indian Rosewood.

This fascinating instrument is presently 83 years old, and it’s had some work done to it. In 1995, the neck was removed and reset, and the fret slots were filled and recut to allow use of modern T-shaped fretwire. The guitar was originally equipped with straight bar frets. The instrument may have been dropped at one point (perhaps while in a war zone!) and a small break occurred on the lower treble bout near the tailblock. The back separated and was reglued.

Structurally, the guitar is in good playable condition but could benefit from some restoration and setup.

Serial Number 46448, built during 1931 at the Martin facility in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, USA.
Pricing $11,750.00 CAD with non-original case. SOLD
Neck Honduran Mahogany neck with unbound ebony fingerboard.
Frets Refretted in 1995, and there is lots of fret left. Originally the guitar had straight bar fret wire, and the fingerboard was modified in 1995 to accept modern T-style fretwire.
Body Classic Martin 00 – size body with the 28 materials and trim – a plain set of Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, herringbone purfling inside the creme binding. There’s lots of play wear on the top. Over the decades, the guitar has had bits of damage, and the back at the tailblock separated and was reglued. Ebony bridge, which has had a pair of bolts added and covered.
Finish Nitrocellulose lacquer finish with lots of wear and checking. There isn’t really evidence of overspray or refinish so it’s likely original.
Hardware/electronics Original Grover Sta-Tite open case tuners, stamped Patent Applied For. Bone nut and saddle.
Playability/Action Plays quite well; the 1995 neck reset addressed the neck angle issues and the instrument is fully playable.
Case Newer hardshell case included.

Next are photos of the original owner and the guitar on active service in the European Theater. These photos were taken between 1940 and 1945.


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