❌SOLD❌ C F Martin D28 Dreadnought Acoustic Brazilian Rosewood, 1969

The Dreadnought steel string, as found on guitars like the C F Martin D28 and the rest of their ‘D’ line, has been one of the most successful guitar designs. Used by countless guitarists and on many recordings, the Dreadnought brought banjo-matching volume. Appearing in 1931, the Martin D28 had a 12-fret neck until 1934. This shift was prompted by banjo players migrating to guitar and wanting the extra frets that their banjos had!

Here we have a C F Martin D28, built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania in 1969. 1969 was officially the last year that Martin used Brazilian Rosewood for their Rosewood models, and in 1970 Indian Rosewood was in use. A few guitars were built with the dwindling stocks of Brazilian, eventually coming down to Brazilian being used for the center panel on the three-piece D-35 back. Brazilian Rosewood is used for the sides, back, and head plate.

As with most other Martin D series guitars, the top is Sitka Spruce, with Mahogany used for the body blocks and neck. The fingerboard and bridge are Ebony.

This example is in good working condition. This isn’t a new guitar and has been used as intended, so it has had some work done over the years. There is a well repaired headstock break – it is hard to find the original break line, requiring significant lighting. It does not appear to have had a neck reset, which virtually all steel string guitars of a certain age will require. The finish is in good shape, with some oxidization. The top finish has natural and expected lacquer checking, and the back has one finish chip, likely from a belt buckle or jean rivet. There is also one repaired crack in the top.

The fact that this guitar has been played is in its favour – the tone has fully developed to a rich, warm texture with plenty of presence and volume.

A non-original hard shell case is included.