1946 C. F. Martin D-28 Herringbone

SN: 94998. Impressive D-28 herringbone from the tapered brace era that punches well over its price. She’s a well-played powerhouse perfect for bluegrass, Appalachian, old time and even folk and rock and roll. The voice has great volume, drive, sustain and overtones with ample bass a robust mids. She is set up well and ready to play.
Made early in 1946 and one of only 150 made with steel reinforcement in the neck. Herringbone trim, Sitka top, old growth Brazilian back and sides with zigzag center strip, ebony bridge and fretboard with large dot position markers. Original Waverly 503B “Yoda head” tuners. Original nut, excellent repro bridge with Antique Acoustics bridge pins.
Everything is in excellent playing condition but showing the wear of years of gigging. The top shows playwear and dings and a small area of touchup on the bass side of the lower bout. Possibly some touchup just south of the bridge. There’s an inside pickguard crack that has been stabilized. Lots of buckle rash on the back and some finish worn from the back of the neck. In terms of maintenance, I’m told Joe Konkoly reset the neck about 10 years ago. I provided a refret and setup by Mark Tossman. The action is ‘bluegrass medium” set at 6.5/64” on the bass side and +/- 4/64” on the treble. There’s room to move on the saddle if need be. The neck feels smooth and fast with it’s 1-11/16” nut and 2-1/8” string spacing at the bridge. Depth of the neck at the first fret is .90” at the first fret.
With prewar bones now exceeding $200K and wartime models into six figures, the postwar herringbones represent one of the great values left in the vintage world.
Comes with a newer tweed hardshell case that has done the job for years.
SPECS:
Top: Sitka spruce
Band & Sides: Brazilian rosewood
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: herringbone trim, zigzag backstrip
Nut width: 1-11/16”
String spacing: 2-1/8”
Body width: 15-5/8”
Depth: 4-7/8”
Scale length: 25.4”
Case: HSC