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1959 Martin D-28
Apart from repaired hairline cracks along the edges of the fretboard extension the guitar can be considered crack-free. The finish is original throughout, as are the bridge and nut. The original Grover tuners have been replaced with aged Waverlys and conversion bushings, and the bridge may have been shaved a very small amount. The bone saddle and Antique Acoustic bridge pins are recent, as is the K&K pickup that’s been mounted on the original bridgeplate. The fingerboard was once decorated with style 45 inlays from the 5th fret on; these have since been cleanly replaced with era-appropriate pearl dots. There is playwear to the top around the soundhole and pickguard, worn-through finish on the back of the neck, and a random assortment of dings and dents typical of a 65 year old guitar.
Playability is excellent, with action set at 5-7 64ths and a nearly-full height saddle. The frets are quite likely original, but we’re not entirely sure. It’s hard to tell sometimes. The nut appears to have never been removed, which would suggest that the neck hasn’t been refretted. There is some light playwear to the first 5 frets under the E and B strings, suggesting the frets were dressed some time back. Finally, there is a pearl-dot filling the hole left by a strap-button on the guitar’s side, adjacent to the neck heel.
The guitar’s neck has a classic 50’s Martin softened V carve and a 1-11/16” nut. The neck depth is .855” at the 1st fret.
With hardshell case.
