❌SOLD❌ C F Martin D-28 Dreadnought Guitar Brazilian Rosewood, 1948

From its introduction in 1931, the C F Martin D-28 has been a successful, reliable design used by countless guitarists in performance and recordings.

The C F Martin D-28 shares a basic body design with other D or Dreadnought series bodies, and features a Spruce top paired with Rosewood for the back, sides and headplate, Mahogany for the neck and Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge. At the time this guitar was built, the combination was Adirondack Spruce and Brazilian Rosewood. Martin ‘officially’ ceased use of Brazilian in 1967, but that actually meant that they stopped obtaining it and used up their remaining stocks; it was still appearing in the center panels of D-35 three-piece backs as late as 1972.

The C F Martin D-28 presented here dates to 1948 – likely in early February, given that its serial number indicates it is the 418th instrument built in 1948 out of a total of 4,801. Production was picking up as veterans returned from theaters of war and the U S economy shifted back to peacetime mode.

This is a post-war guitar, and its construction details indicate that dating. Pre-war guitars had Herringbone purfling around the top and elsewhere. However, the supplier was located in Germany, and once the war started, Martin was unable to resupply as their stocks dwindled and were finally exhausted in 1947. The D series purfling shifted to a multilayer white/black combination. At war’s end, the German supplier was no longer available. Herringbone has been reintroduced in ‘vintage’ reissue models, but hasn’t been standard since 1947.

It’s a treat to play a guitar like this. The tone is rich and full with the typical Rosewood warmth, while the Adirondack Spruce top provides sparkle and clarity even when played hard. It plays well as it is, and it’s ready to go!

Over the years this guitar has been serviced. As it plays well, it must have had the neck reset that nearly every steel string guitar of a certain age will require, and it was well done. As well, the bridge was replaced, as were the tuners; a vintage style, single-line Kluson Deluxe set is installed.

I expect that this guitar was also professionally refretted some time ago, and there is minor fret wear, with light wear to the fingerboard. The top shows play wear at the thin end of the pickguard. The back and sides have been buffed, and show off the lovely figuring of the original Brazilian Rosewood set. An endpin jack has been installed, though there is no pickup.  

A newer hard shell case is included.