1930 C. F. Martin 0-28 Natural

SN: 42249. This lovely and rare beast is the resident unicorn of the shop these days. I’ve been reluctant to put it down and write the description. The 0-28 is an elegant little design that, at one time, was the largest guitar C.F. Martin offered. It’s certainly one of the finest and longest lived. The model was first recorded in the Martin sales ledgers as early as 1852 according to Richard Johnson and Dick Boak’s excellent book, Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference. They were made in small numbers up until 1931 with 12 made that last year. A small batch of six, possibly 14-fretters, was made in 1936. There were just a few batches with a factory standard belly bridge and no pickguard. This comes from one of those few.

The 28 style appointments are timeless; much the same as they were in 1852 and until 1947. Herringbone trim, ivoroid binding top and bottom, “5-9-5” black and white rosette, snowflake inlay at positions 5, 7 and 9. Adirondack spruce top, old growth quarter-sawn BRW back and sides, 12-fret mahogany neck with slotted headstock and BRW face plate, ebony bridge and fretboard and engraved tuners. The bridge pins are white ivoroid celluloid with black dots.

This particular guitar is crazy clean and exquisitely original with the exception of an exact repro bridge and new frets. (The original bridge is in the case pocket). It’s had a neck reset prior to it coming to me though only visible with a black light. The finish, bridge pins, end pins, and tuners are all original and in excellent condition. There are a few pick and finger swirls on the top but this guitar has been very lightly played and carefully kept. There are no cracks, case-bites nor buckle rash. A very rare example.
The guitar plays beautifully with a recent setup by Mark Tossman. The frets have plenty of bite and the action is perfect. The saddle is 1-7/8” at the nut and the string spacing is 2-3/8” at the bridge. It’s a fine fingerpicker with lovely sustain and overtones and that sparkle that we look for from the trebles. This is quite the rare find that won’t be around for long. Comes with a nearly new Collings Traditional case that fits perfectly.

SPECS

Top: Adirondack Spruce
Band & Sides: Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Herringbone trim, ivoroid binding, snowflake inlays
Nut width: 1-7/8”
String spacing: 2-3/8”
Body width: 14-1/8”
Depth: 4-1/16”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: HSC