C. F. Martin 00-28C Classical Guitar (1972), ser. #298947, original molded blue plastic hard shell case.

C. F. Martin 00-28C Model Classical Guitar (1972), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 298947, natural lacquer finish, rosewood back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original molded blue plastic hard shell case.

The popularity of Martin's classical guitars got a boost in the 1960s due to the Folk-boom market's seemingly insatiable appetite for easy-to-play nylon string instruments. Many aspiring folk players of the time were not comfortable with steel-strings but wanted a genuine Martin, so classical guitars from Nazareth became a popular choice in a pro-grade "Folk" guitar. This 00-28C was launched in 1966, replacing the earlier 00-28G model.

The big change from the "G" to the "C" model was the adoption of Martin's traditional pre-1932 12 fret 00 body in favor of the more squared-off 1930's body style of the 00-28G. The new guitar with a more traditional look was even more keenly focused on the folk market. Martin briefly experimented with a 000 sized version before settling on this 00-28C as the new standard rosewood nylon string model.

The 00-28C is built with Martin's traditional materials: rosewood back and sides, a mahogany neck and a finely grained spruce top. It uses the standard Martin 12-fret 00 body shape and headstock, but internally is a delicately fan-braced with like a classical guitar. The fingerboard and bridge are ebony; the bridge is a classical "tie off" style with rounded wings and a bone saddle. The rosewood back has some lovely straight grain figure.

Only 73 of these shipped in 1972; while this style Martin is not well remembered now, this is a lovely and sweet-sounding guitar that deserves a better appreciation than it often gets, neither "fish nor fowl" perhaps to many modern players but an appealing creation nonetheless.

Overall length is 37 5/8 in. (95.6 cm.), 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 in. (10.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).

This Martin has been kept well for the last 50+ years, showing some typical finish wear but no notable repairs. The original finish is intact, the top has checking, dings, dents and a fingerwear spot to the wood, right where it usually is. There is some scuffing to the back, dings and dents scattered around here and there and one noticeable deep dink into the lower side at the apex of the treble bout. It plays and sounds exactly as it should, a nice playing example of this somewhat obscure Martin still in the original blue molded HSC. Excellent - Condition.