Martin 000-28 (1954)

Clearly, this '54 000-28 is not a guitar for anyone who demands perfection of fit & finish, but it offers a level of openness and a dry, present voice that simply can't be found in a new instrument.

This 1954 Martin 000-28 has been with its consigning owner for many decades. It's been played; it has vibe; and it sounds great. Featuring straight-grained Brazilian Rosewood that's almost boring in its uniformity, and a beautifully-patina'd Sitka Spruce top, this is the sort of guitar that may just make a vintage convert out of someone who's been hesitant to wade into those waters. Clearly, it's not a guitar for anyone who demands perfection of fit & finish, but it offers a level of openness and a dry, present voice that simply can't be found in a new instrument. To perhaps state the obvious, the pickguard on this guitar is a replacement from a long ago. (There's also a small brace added internally in the area underneath the pickguard.) An older, non-original nut with extremely narrow string spacing was replaced by our shop, who also reglued the bridge. The guitar plays smoothly up and down the neck and responds well to a flatpicked attack. Priced with non-original hardshell case.