We have here an excellent condition 1991 Martin D-28S from the Martin Custom Shop. Designed after the legendary original dreadnoughts of the early and mid 20th century which were 12-frets to the body instead of the now more common 14-frets, it was truly the largest guitar of it’s time. In 1916 the first 12-fret dreadnought was built by Martin & Company in Nazareth, PA under the Ditson name for the Charles H. Ditson Company chain of stores in Boston, Philadelphia and New York. Nothing was bigger at the time than the mighty battleship the “H.M.S. Dreadnought”, so the largest guitar of the day was properly named after this famed vessel as well.
Since this model was not available in 1991, a discerning buyer contacted the Martin Custom Shop to build one like a vintage model, built as a D-28S with Indian Rosewood back and sides and a Sitka Spruce top with aging toner and forward shifted scalloped braces. The 12-fret ‘vintage style’ Mahogany neck features a slotted headstock with rounded slots, non-adjustable T Bar truss rod, old style gold script logo, gold tuners with Pearl buttons, 1 7/8″ nut width and 2 5/16″ saddle spacing.
An unbound Ebony fretboard and bridge grace the top along with 5 ply black/ white purfling and style 18 ringed rosette . Bound with Ivoroid binding on the body along with checkered backstrip, topped with Mother of Pearl dots in decreasing size on the fretboard.
A great custom build with that vintage vibe that will get you playing through all your favorite Norman Blake tunes. Flatpicked, thumbpicked or fingerpicked, this is a great versatile guitar with a big voice.
Includes original hardshell case.
Free shipping in the continental United States.