Description
Exc condition • SN: 287120
1-11/16″ width at nut • 2-3/16″ pin spacing
Wow, this 1971 Martin D-28 is really a nice guitar. It has the right “snap” and “boom” when you play that isn’t easily found in 1970’s Martin Dreadnaut guitars.
The top is quite lovely, with nice wide grain and lots of medullary rays. I can’t find any cracks on this D-28… not even a pickguard crack. The neck is nice and straight.
The Rosewood back is also worth noting. It is more likely to be Central American Rosewood than Indian Rosewood. It has a vibrant rich brown color that has a beautiful sheen similar to what Koa has.
The Sound:
I grew up with 1970’s Martin dreadnauts. That was what was mainly hanging in any Martin dealer – brand new 1970’s guitars. Even in our late teens we could easily hear that many of the ’70’s versions were built to have “less sound” than the earlier Martins that were owned by our older friends and relatives.
I would call this guitar “one of 100”, which means I think you’d have to play 100 1971 Martin D-28’s to get another one that is this good.
In other words, if your 1952 D-28 was at the luthier’s shop and you had a gig to play, this guitar would do nicely.
Quick, snappy attack with full tone behind it…
Spruce top with Rosewood back and sides and Mahogany neck. Gabon Ebony fingerboard and bridge. CFMartin decal at top of Rosewood peghead overlay. Nickel Grover Pat. Pend. tuners. Graduated pearl dot inlays in fingerboard. Black plastic pickguard. The body has antiqued white bindings, with top edge having 6-ply, the back having 3-ply, and white heel cap and end wedge. Seems to be the original white bridge pins and end pin.
Some player wear around soundhole rosette and between pickguard and the bridge. These two areas have had light finish rubbed over the wear. There is the normal finish checking that experienced buyers know to expect on a 49 year old guitar.
If you do buy this one you’ll have to get used to your friends saying things like, “that can’t be from 1971, it has too much sound.”
Comes with a good hardshell case.
