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Description

The Martin D-28 is arguably the ultimate factory flat-top guitar in history, played by many of the best and most sophisticated performers throughout the last 80 years. Huge sound, quality construction, excellent materials—all combine to dominate most jams and concerts. If you’ve ever wanted to add the power of a vintage Martin D-28 to your gig list or repertoire, and if you’re intrigued by the possibility of finally owning a legitimately rare and collectible Martin, this may be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. In fact, you may want to sell all your other six-string guitars—whatever they are!—in order to own this great-playing D-28.

This guitar’s serial number (321907) indicates it was produced in 1973, but the current MSRP of a standard D-28 is almost $3,500, and if you read the almost reverent reviews of D-28s on Harmony Central or the many other websites (just Google “Martin D-28”), you’ll see why this model has attained almost legendary status. As one reviewer said, “It’s like holding an orchestra in my hands!” This guitar is an excellent example of this classic Martin design, and you can play it hard for its booming bass, or you can play it softly for the delicacy of a harpsichord.

There is abundant evidence of Martin’s high quality in this dreadnought’s solid spruce top and beautiful solid Rosewood sides and back. This D-28 has a multi-stripe rosette, an unusual patterned back stripe, and a 14/20-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay. The solid mahogany neck and headstock accented by the enclosed Grover tuners, the scalloped braces, the ebony bridge and white ivoroid bridge pins reflecting the pure black tear drop pick guard—these are like Martin D-28 trademarks. And of course the logo on the headstock in the familiar Martin script is the ultimate guarantee. While this D-28 does not feature a lot of fancy inlays and such, check out the pictures: this is still one beautiful guitar to anyone who loves the instrument!

On the other hand, it is in well-used condition, and like most 45-year-old guitars has a few dings and some crazing of the finish “to let the sound out,” as my luthier says. The pick guard has shrunk, but is solidly attached, the back of the neck is worn, and there may be an ancient repair around the volute. There are two professionally repaired cracks in the back [which you may not be able to see in the pics], and the previous owner apparently had a very heavy pick hand, leaving obvious pick wear down to the wood. This has caused no actual structural damage, it has been sealed, and no doubt it adds tons o' mojo or some such, but some would find it a tad homely.

Clearly this guitar would no longer qualify for the Martin Museum in Pennsylvania, but as a solo instrument or as a dominant addition to your local jam, it’s a great player, a guitar to be proud of. The action is a bit high at a hair under 4/32” at the 12th fret low E, but the sound is phenomenal! Forty-five years of dedicated playing and seasoning does great things for tonewoods—especially when you start with the quality woods Martin used to create this guitar!

The included new five-latch hard shell case is obviously not original, but it has all the advantages of newness: shiny hardware, clean plush lining, even keys. (If your heart is set on a 1970s thermoplastic Martin case in good but slightly “experienced” condition, I will rob my D-18 of its case for an additional $75). This case fits perfectly to ensure the safety of the instrument, but naturally the Martin logo conspicuously embossed into the top has some appeal. Just let me know your preference.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this vintage guitar and its case with scrupulous accuracy. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to give it a new home.

Thank you for your interest in this fine instrument!

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

1973
Martin
Good
Hard
9 Years
ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS
ARTHUR H LUMPKIN
803-731-0515
Online Only
5:38 AM
24/7 by e-mail: akmgj@bellsouth.net. I'm old; I don't sleep much.

Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.

From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.

I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.