❌SOLD❌ Martin 0 28 Custom Shop Steel String Guitar Natural, 2007

One of C F Martin’s oldest designs, the Martin 0 28 was first offered as a production guitar in 1874 and built until 1931, with six built in 1937 and one in 1969; since 2009 it has been a ‘VS’ model, or from the Martin Custom Shop.

The ‘0’ or ‘single-O’ body reflects the most popular types of guitars built around the mid 1800s, in particular the Stauffer models that the first C F Martin helped build while living in Germany, at first as an apprentice. C F Martin moved back to his town of Markneukirchen around 1827. However, he was technically regarded as a cabinetmaker rather than a luthier (his initial training was with his cabinetmaker father) and the formal system of guilds and apprentices discouraged cabinetmakers from building guitars.

The resulting disputes between Martin and the Violin Maker’s Guild, who claimed exclusive rights to building musical instruments, led to Martin emigrating to the USA in 1833, first setting up in New York City. However, Martin was never comfortable there. He quickly discovered that he was happier in the German community in Nazareth, Pennsylvania and moved his business there.

Here we have a Martin 0 28 12-fret guitar, built during 2007 at the Martin Custom Shop in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. It features Adirondack Spruce for the top and body bracing, Indian Rosewood for the back, sides, and head plate. The neck, back bracing and body blocks are Mahogany, with Ebony for the pyramid-style bridge and ivoroid-bound fingerboard.

The Martin 0-28 model uses a slotted peghead, which helps to increase string downbearing at the nut, while reducing the need for a steep headstock angle. That combination increases open-string clarity, separation and sustain via the increased downbearing, while the shallower angle reduces the likelihood of headstock breakage should the guitar fall.

As a Custom Shop guitar, the original purchaser specified a 12-fret neck, a Snowflake inlay set, and an under-saddle passive pickup leading to an end-pin jack.

This guitar is in very clean condition with little wear. There is light marking on the top finish from pick or fingertips – this model typically does not have a pick guard. The rest of the finish is in very good condition, with some natural sinking into the pores of the wood. Fret wear is light.

The original Martin Geib-style case is included.