Like mojo? Is tone your priority? Love a guitar that's seen more than a few smoky bars and has that open, loud, vintage Martin dread sound that everyone's searching for? Look no further - this baby's the real deal! From a collector's standpoint, this guitar has far too many issues to be at the top of anyone's list, but if tone and vibe are your priority, this guitar offers excellent value...a chance to get into old growth, quartersawn Brazilian rosewood at around $5k. At some point in its life, this D-28 sported the double pickguards that were unfortunately in fashion for a number of years. They have been removed and the finish has been touched up on both sides of the top. Around the replacement Greven Tortis pickguard are significant pickwear marks and gouges along with an ugly finish material of unknown content and origin. Three small but stable (possibly glued) side cracks 2-3" each on the lower bout of the treble side are the only cracks on the guitar, though there's considerable finish checking on the upper back. A strap hole drilled through the center of the neck heel is currently unfilled. Significant belt buckle rash has been touched up so that it's invisible from some angles. The fretboard has non-original inlays, some fretwear, and minor fingernail wear on the fingerboard, neither of which alter playability. Though the finish has been worn off and retouched in several areas, the bulk of the body finish and some areas of the top appear to be original with no overspray. The neck has bare areas worn smooth from many hours of playing. The guitar has the original non-scalloped bracing and original maple bridgeplate. The action at the 12th fret is currently 5/32, indicating that the guitar is in need of a neck reset. Cosmetic issues aside, however, this is an absolutely awesome guitar. The bass response is remarkably loud and clear without being muddy - rumbles your chest and fills the room. The non-scalloped, non-forward shifted bracing may not be the #1 configuration in our pre-war-focused world, but it gives this guitar more balance across the mids and trebles than many Martins. The sitka top is very loud but has a nice roundness and warmth that allows the guitar to be cutting without being brash. A perfect player's instrument, one that has "the sound" without the top dollar collector-driven price. In pristine condition, this would be a $9000+ guitar in today's market...this one comes in closer to the price of a full refinish without the refinish! Additional pictures available upon request. |
