1946 C. F. Martin 000-28 Natural Near Mint
Description
SN 95918. A wonderful, well-preserved example of a postwar Martin 000-28, built in Nazareth, PA in 1946 with what must have been some of the finest tonewoods available at the time. The Brazilian rosewood back and sides are striking; beautifully book matched with superb straight grain. The Sitka spruce top shows the tight, straight grain Martin prized for its top-tier instruments. Herringbone trim was very much alive in 1946, and both the top and back are bound in ivoroid. In 1946, the X-brace and tone bars are still hand tapered, the last full year before big production kicked in and straight bracing took over. The neck is a full feeling modified “V” with a 1-11/16” nut and 2-1/8 string spacing. Many modern players – including Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings – are rediscovering and favoring the wartime and postwar configurations for speed and ease of playing – and the clarity and focus of the tone.
The condition of this beauty is remarkable. The original finish shows only light, even checking and remarkably little handling or playwear. Original “Yoda-head” tuners are clean and functional. The mahogany neck is very clean and straight – its volute, ivoroid end cap, Brazilian rosewood headplate and gold decal all crisp looking. Neck reinforcement, by the way, is via the steel T-bar (many models still had the ebony reinforcement in this period).. It’s a giddy feeling to encounter a 80-year old guitar this original, this clean—and that sounds this good.
The owner had Dennis Berck (Eugene Oregon) provide a neck reset, complete refret and set up late last year. The geometry is spot on and it now plays quite effortlessly (like butter as they say).
Tonally, this 000-28 is something special—sparkling and sweet under a light touch, yet powerful and authoritative when driven with a pick. Its versatility makes it equally at home as a solo instrument, in an ensemble or jam setting.
A period case is included—close but not exact—likely dating from late 1940s to early 1950s. It sports a black tolex exterior in a snakeskin pattern and an orange felt interior. Latches and hinges all work and the case – like the guitar, is in excellent-plus condition.
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Specs:
Top: Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides: Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Herringbone, Doppler dot fingerboard inlays
Neck reinforcement: T-bar
Nut width: 1-11/16”
String spacing: 2-1/8”
Lower bout width: 15-1/8”
Upper bout width: 11-1/4”
Depth: 4-1/8”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: HSC
The condition of this beauty is remarkable. The original finish shows only light, even checking and remarkably little handling or playwear. Original “Yoda-head” tuners are clean and functional. The mahogany neck is very clean and straight – its volute, ivoroid end cap, Brazilian rosewood headplate and gold decal all crisp looking. Neck reinforcement, by the way, is via the steel T-bar (many models still had the ebony reinforcement in this period).. It’s a giddy feeling to encounter a 80-year old guitar this original, this clean—and that sounds this good.
The owner had Dennis Berck (Eugene Oregon) provide a neck reset, complete refret and set up late last year. The geometry is spot on and it now plays quite effortlessly (like butter as they say).
Tonally, this 000-28 is something special—sparkling and sweet under a light touch, yet powerful and authoritative when driven with a pick. Its versatility makes it equally at home as a solo instrument, in an ensemble or jam setting.
A period case is included—close but not exact—likely dating from late 1940s to early 1950s. It sports a black tolex exterior in a snakeskin pattern and an orange felt interior. Latches and hinges all work and the case – like the guitar, is in excellent-plus condition.
________________________________________
Specs:
Top: Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides: Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Herringbone, Doppler dot fingerboard inlays
Neck reinforcement: T-bar
Nut width: 1-11/16”
String spacing: 2-1/8”
Lower bout width: 15-1/8”
Upper bout width: 11-1/4”
Depth: 4-1/8”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: HSC