Excellent condition featuring square shoulder dreadnought body shape, solid Sitka spruce top, solid Indian rosewood back and sides, multi-bound top and back body edges, decorative multi-line soundhole rosette, single ply black plastic pickguard, ebony bridge with bone bridge saddle and six white plastic bridge pins with black dots, set mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays starting at the fifth fret, bone nut, Martin peghead shape, rosewood peghead overlay with gold CF Martin & Co logo, three per side Grover Rotomatic tuning machines with PAT. PEND. and USA stampings, decorative backstripe, white plastic end pin, natural finish and original blue molded plastic Martin hard shell case with dark blue plush lining.
This 1972 Martin D-28 is in excellent cosmetic condition showing very few signs of play wear throughout and appears to have been very well cared for throughout its life. There are two very small dings on the peghead face (see photos). The single ply black plastic pickguard is a replacement that was professionally cut and installed leaving no “footprint” or gaps around the edges. The black plastic guards Martin used during this era are notorious for shrinking, curling up and peeling off. This one looks and functions great. There is one extremely small top crack (less then an inch long) located at the bottom of the pickguard that I have tried to photograph which appears to have been professionally repaired and is very solid, does not flex and is extremely hard to see. The neck profile is a very comfortable and ever so slight soft V shape that rounds out towards the 12th fret. The frets are in terrific shape, have been leveled and crowned and show barely any visible signs of play wear. This instrument has been set up and inspected by a very well known and well respected luthier in Nashville, Tennessee, and it plays superbly up and down the fingerboard. The action is low and the bone saddle is cut low as well. The neck is very straight and the top is exceptionally flat. This instrument could be made to have “Bluegrass” action with a taller saddle if its new owner is so inclined. The original Grover tuning machines function smoothly and keep this D-28 in great tune. This instrument is housed in its original blue molded Martin hard shell case - all the latches are working properly and it’s just as clean as the guitar.
A fantastic all around player, this D-28 is a great example of the model. With a deep, rich bass and crisp, smooth trebles, this guitar sets the standard for what a dreadnought guitar should sound like. This instrument is a perfect choice for most all applications where steel string acoustic guitar is used. The guitar is a great all around choice for live performance, studio recording, writing, and acoustic jams. The playability is stellar and the guitar plays flawlessly up and down the neck. The action is extremely comfortable as well. This is a very fine sounding and very tidy 50 year old flagship model Martin flattop guitar made by the fine folks in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. This D-28 should bring its new owner a lifetime of joy and will certainly become an heirloom as D-28s from this era are gaining both popularity and value. If you are looking for a vintage Martin D-28, this example is superb and is one to seriously consider. A gem of a guitar shipped safely and promptly from our little shop in Clarksville, Tennessee, to your front door.
