A 1948 Martin 000-28 with all original parts and finish, in excellent condition and including a period-correct (possibly original) hard-shell case. This guitar is a real prize and a well-preserved example of Martin's post-war output. It features a beautiful set of straight-grained Brazilian rosewood for the back and sides with rich brown and russet colored grain patterns. 1948 is toward the earlier end of Martin's switch to Sitka spruce from Adirondack, and the top on this guitar has even, parallel grain that has taken on that classic vintage amber tint. X-bracing is non-scalloped and rear-shifted.
This guitar is fresh off the bench, fully serviced by the Dusty Strings expert repair team, with repairs including a neck reset, full re-fret, and the stabilization of the very beginnings of the ubiquitous Martin pickguard crack along the treble-side edge, a repair that allowed for the preservation of the original pickguard. This guitar now plays beautifully with action measuring 6/64" and 4/64" from the 12th fret to the bottom of the low and high strings, respectively, with .005" relief in the neck and a nice tall saddle for future adjustment. There is evidence of at least one prior neck reset and a bridge re-glue. The original bridge seems to be at factory thickness, but the wings have been thinned a bit, presumably to achieve a perfect fit with the top during the re-glue. The maple bridge plate is in good condition showing only minor wear.
Overall, this 000-28 is in fantastic original condition with surprisingly little finish wear for its age. The substantial mahogany neck has a wonderful round C-profile with generous shoulders - a supremely comfortable neck shape unique to Martins of the late 1940s. This guitar is highly resonant and overflowing with vintage character; it sounds nice and sweet with lush trebles and clear, cutting low end. Includes a period-correct hardshell case.
Purchasable by wire transfer only with overnight shipping, subject to inclement weather hold if necessary for the best interest of the instrument. Please reach out with any questions or to procure a shipping quote!
- 1948
- Sitka spruce top
- Brazilian rosewood back and sides
- Mahogany neck w/ ebony fretboard
- Pearloid dot fret position markers
- Grained ivoroid binding
- 1-11/16"nut width
- 24.9" scale length
- Original Kluson deluxe tuning machines
- Original ebony bridge
- All original lacquer finish.
