Martin 00-28C Classical Brazilian Rosewood, 1968

The Martin 00-28C was the top of Martin’s classical guitar line, featuring Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and a fan-braced Sitka Spruce top. The fingerboard and bridge are Ebony, with Mahogany for the body blocks and neck. The bracing is Spruce, and the neck attachment style is a dovetail joint. Fairly unusually for traditionally classical guitar design, the neck has a soft-V profile. The 00-28C was built from 1966 to 1976, but it was first prototyped during 1961. When it finally made it into production, it replaced the 000-28C.

Though Martin is now most identified with steel string acoustic guitars, its long history includes many gut and nylon string models.

This Martin 00-28C was built during early 1968 and the included copy of the original bill of sale puts its purchase, and the matching #420 case as October 2, 1969 at a shop in London, Ontario. It is in overall good condition. The back has had a small crack repair, with two Rosewood cleats visible through the sound hole. The back and sides appear to have been professionally touched up, oversprayed and buffed. They are clean and glossy, with no lacquer checking. The top, on the other hand, has its entire original finish with some natural and expected lacquer checking.

This guitar plays well and has a good, well developed voice.

A notable feature is the set of markings on the inside back center strip. The traditional Martin brand is there, but also a very visible brand reading “MADE FOR GUT OR NYLON STRINGS”. Below that, the original owner’s initials were written.

The original #420 hard shell case is included, and contains an attested copy of the bill of sale, original Martin hang tags for both guitar and case, and a “Martin Classic” folding line card.

The Line Card Describes The Martin 00-28C:

“00-28C A TRULY AUTHENTIC CLASSIC
The body of this superb guitar is made of selected, matched Brazil rosewood width top of fine, even-grain source, all quarter sawn and air-dried. Genuine African ebony fingerboard and bridge. Mahogany neck. Bound body and inlaid with appropriate white and black trim. Polished clear lacquer finish, all natural colour. Nylon strings only. All classic guitars identical in body size and 2″ wide at nut, Hard case #420, soft case #220.”