1890 Martin 0-28 Excellent, Original Hard, $10,000.00

Perhaps the best, most pleasant overall 19th-century Martin guitar I've ever laid hands on. Beautifully and lightly built and beautifully kept for well over a hundred years, with only the original gut and modern nylon strings ever having been used on it. As a result, it has never pulled up, never had its bridge loosen, and certainly never suffered any of the indignities that metal strings will inflict on these rare instruments. The action is perfect and easy, with nothing like a neck reset ever having been needed. It was made with the extra factory option of a solid peghead with solid ivory friction tuning pegs and they work beautifully; still has all of its original bridge pins and both strap buttons too. The sound is big and light and airy, with terrific amounts of body to the entire tonal range. There are a few very ancient, very minor side cracks and two on the top, beautifully repaired with hide glue decades ago, 100% solid and of extremely minor consequence. One just does not see these 100+ year-old Martins in this fine condition anymore; this instrument will be treasured by whoever becomes its third-ever owner. Comes with its original wood hard shell case with original Martin label on the underside of the lid, hand-lettered model number written on it at the factory; hand-written date "7/90" pencilled under the top of the guitar. For nylon strings only, and thankfully so. $10,000 w/ohsc