Martin Guitars

1947 Martin D-28 Guitar (Serial Number 99606)

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Serial number 99606 was stamped on April 3, 1947 and cleared final inspection on July 30 that year. The tuners are Waverly 5038 machines with the distinctive “Yoda head” backing plates with rounded metal buttons. These machines were used by Martin from 1939 to 1942 and from 1946 to 1947.   Style 28 features: Back […]

Martin Guitars

1934 Martin D-28 Guitar (Serial Number 57801)

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This particular guitar has a very interesting story as it has been in the same family since 1934. The guitar is a remarkable survivor and, based on the photographs supplied by the owner, is in original condition excepting some minor wear. Serial number 57801 comes from the first batch of D-28 guitars with a steel […]

Martin Guitars

1933 Martin D-28 Guitar, Serial Number 54950

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Here is an interesting early 12-fret D-28 that was once owned by Norman Blake. Serial number 54950 was ordered by Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. in Milwaukee WI on December 9, 1933. It stamped on December 15, 1933 and cleared final inspection on December 21 that year, manufactured and shipped in only 6 days! Three more 12-fret […]

Martin Guitars

1956 Martin D-28 Guitar, Serial Number 151874

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Serial number 151874 was stamped on October 4, 1956 and cleared final inspection on January 23, 1957. The tuners are Kluson K-500 “waffleback” machines with rounded metal buttons. Style 28 features: Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood Top: Sitka spruce Purfling: Lines Binding: White celluloid Backstripe: Zipper pattern Other period features: Straight X-bracing Ebony fingerboard Ebony […]

Martin Guitars

1937 Martin D-28, Serial Number 66724

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Serial number 66724 was stamped on June 24, 1937 and cleared final inspection on October 7 that year. This guitar has advanced X-bracing and a 1-3/4″ wide neck. The tuners are Grover G-98 pointed plate machines with unseamed butterbean buttons. Style 28 features: Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: Herringbone Binding: […]

Martin Guitars

1933 Martin D-28, Serial Number 55082

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Here is one of the rarely seen 12-fret D-28 guitars. It is also one of the very last regular 12-fret D-28s made (although a few more 12-fretters were made on special order in subsequent years). Serial number 55082 was stamped on December 29, 1933 and cleared final inspection on January 23, 1934. This might also […]

Martin Guitars

1935 Martin D-28, Serial Number 59395

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Serial number 59395 was stamped on March 19, 1935 and cleared final inspection on August 15 that year. Being an early D-28 it has advanced X-bracing and an 1-3/4″ wide neck (string specing at the bridge is 2-5/16″). Like all pre-war D-28 guitars, it has herringbone purfling around the top of the guitar and the […]

Martin Guitars

1941 Martin D-28

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The guitar in this entry is a 1941 D-28 “herringbone”. It has rear-X bracing and the neck is 1-11/16″ wide at the nut. Typical of other D-28 guitars of the period is has the scalloped braces,”zig-zag” back stripe and the distinctive herringbone purfling. The tuners are period correct Kluson 511 machines. These early Klusons have […]