1958 Martin D-28 + HSC

A very cool player and an even better sounding D-28 from 1958. It's no surprise this guitar has been played a lot throughout it's life and we feel it looks and sounds all the better for it. A Country & Western, Bluegrass, Folk heavyweight the D-28 model was Martin's highest priced, largest sized, best offering during this period; the higher spec more elaborate models having been discontinued during the war and not yet brought back into production. The D-28 was guitar of choice for many high profile musicians earning it's status as a Country & Western, bluegrass and folk staple, and resulting in a large waiting list as demand outstripped production.
The tone is rich, warm, dry, woody and very well balanced. The Rosewood ensures a very well rounded, warm lower end, the highs are sparkly, distinct and balanced, and the mids are slightly scooped whilst retaining some punch. There's a fair amount of headroom, and the projection is excellent. It's easy to see why this guitar has clearly been used extensively throughout it's life. In both sound and feel this is definitely one of the nicer D-28's we've had.
The neck has a very playable soft 'V' profile, the lacquer having worn from decades of use resulting in a very tactile, smooth feel in the hand. It's a very comfortable guitar to play, with plenty of height to the non-original frets. The action is spot on with good playability up the neck, whether you're chord/rhythm playing, lead playing or fingerpicking. The neck doesn't appear to have been reset and the saddle has only a small amount of height remaining. The bridge is a short saddle Rosewood replacement which has been bolted and dowelled with pearl dots.
Condition wise there are numerous scratches and dings to the whole guitar and some minor tarnishing to the finish on the back. There are two visible, superficial cracks on the back that don't penetrate the wood and some of the braces have been re-glued. Otherwise the guitar is structurally sound with good geometry.
In addition to the changed bridge, the guitar has a changed nut and has been refretted. It retains it's correct Grover Pat. pend tuners that were brand new in 1958. The Maple bridge plate appears original too.
All in all this is a stunning sounding dreadnought from a good period of manufacture, right at the beginning of the folk revival. A wonderful instrument with character, history and charm in abundance.