1950 Martin D-28

A stellar flatpicker, this 1950 Martin D-28 has everything one looks for in a bluegrass dreadnought. The guitar has a strong voice, excellent fundamental presence, a dry snap, and a fairly clean pallet in the overtone department – pretty much all the ingredients of a top-notch lead instrument. It's really a blast to play, the neck feel is fabulous, and the hammer-on and pull-off spring back is just right.

A very fine guitar, this D-28 has survived the years with only a pickguard-edge crack. There are no "real' cracks, no loose, repaired, or otherwise compromised braces, and the instrument hasn't ever had a neck reset – and still somehow doesn't need one. It's been played, and there is pickwear around the pickguard and soundhole, some buckle-rash on the back, and the neck's finish has been worn off in the first position. There are small dings, dents and scratches everywhere, but nothing worthy of specific reference.

Original Kluson Waffleback tuners, and nut. The bridge is a very well-made, proper-sized replacement, and there are two small, filled holes in the original bridgeplate (left-overs from a bolted-down original bridge). Original finish throughout. The bridge pins are older black-eye replacements which could pass as original but for the color of the dots.

Set-up is excellent, with an action of 5-6 64ths at the 12th fret under medium-gauge string tension. The saddle has some good height, with more than 3/32” showing above the top of the bridge. The guitar's frets were replaced by Folkway the last time we sold this guitar - about 9 years ago - and remain near-perfect. The neck carve is a nicely rounded subtle V, with a comfortable first position feel that tapers evenly as your hand moves towards the body. .851” first fret depth, .990” depth at the 9th, width at the nut is 1-11/16, scale is 25.4”, and string spread at the bridge is 2-1/8”.

With slightly later 1950's hardshell case.

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