1927 C. F. Martin 0-28K Natural Koa, Excellent, Hard

SN 33068 – The 0-28K played a leading role in Martin history as one of the first steel string models offered under the Martin imprint. The unique tone of Koa wood has given the guitars an appeal wider than the original Hawaiian music for which they were originally developed and many have been converted from Hawaiian to standard play. The 0-28K is the fancier of the two models Martin offered and sold quite well for the day with a total production run of 641 instruments. Originally set up for Hawaiian play with flat frets and raised nut and saddle, Alan Perlman, builder and repairman in San Francisco expertly converted the guitar for standard play. The work included a neck reset, bar frets, new nut, and compensated saddle. Alan closed and cleated a center seam separation that is nearly invisible. There is one near invisible surface crack on the top measuring 1.5” and one on the back measuring 2”. Both are stable. Inside, the original rectangular maple bridge plate is in good shape, as are the scalloped forward X bracing and two scalloped tone bars. It is a fingerpicker’s delight with 1 7/8” nut, 2 7/16th” string spacing. There are twelve frets clear of the neck, slotted headstock, snowflake inlays, ivoroid binding top and back, herringbone trim, ebony fretboard and bridge. Original bridge pins and endpin. Exceptional sound. With a newer TKL case. The link below points to a nice article on the model by George Gruhn.