1944 C. F. Martin 000-28

$15,500.00

  • Year: 1944
  • Manufacturer: C. F. Martin
  • Model: 000-28
  • Case: Original Hard
  • Color: Natural/Brazilian
  • Condition: Good
  • Description: That face, but that VOICE! Here is a well-traveled 1944 000-28 that was purchased by a local dealer from the original family. On the case is painted “Moore’s Little Melody Box” and it’s my understanding that Mr. & Mrs. Moore played this guitar all over the world. It certainly has the look of a seasoned world traveler. In my humble opinion, many 000-28s from the wartime era are beautifully voiced, and this one is no exception. They feature many of the trappings of the prewar models – the scalloped bracing, Adirondack spruce top, old growth Brazilian, ebony fretboard and bridge, snowflake appointments. They differ from the prewar models in the narrower nut width (1 11/16” vs. 1 ¾”) and the position of the X-brace, which Martin moved about 1” toward the bridge in 1938. For many people, the narrower necks make them easier to play, and the bracing brings out a bit more of the trebles. They are super nice guitars. The condition of this one reflects the amount of play that it’s had. There is some fairly deep wash boarding on the east side of the pickguard and some normal playwear south of it, on the west side of the fretboard and sound hole. There’s a temperature crack on the west side of the lower bout and an old repaired crack near the endpin that is about six inches long. The finish is flaking a bit on the back and sides and on the back of the headstock. It appears that the guitar went back to Martin in the later 50s and while it was there received new Grover 98s and an oversized pickguard. There was still a footprint from the original guard so we cut the 50’s guard to the original shape. It looks quite good but clearly there is some wear that happened after the oversized guard was installed. There’s also a bit of a shadow from the big guard but that will fade in time. Luthier Mark Tossman has returned the guitar to its original playing specifications. The work included a standard neck reset, new frets, and a new exact repro bridge. The neck is a very comfortable “V” that feels just right. The action is medium low and it’s a very easy guitar to play and make sound good. As if I haven’t already gushed enough, the tone is killer – bright on the top end and incisive through the middle and the bass. I think the guitar is price to reflect the wear and the tone, as they say, is priceless. Original, but worn, case is included.