2002 Martin D-28 Engelmann Top Japan Custom Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar w/ Case

Up for sale, a 2002 Martin D-28 Japan Custom Engelmann Top in excellent condition, complete with a hardshell case. A USA-made model produced at Martin’s Nazareth, PA factory, this D-28 was custom-ordered exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, featuring an X-braced Engelmann spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides.

This Custom D-28’s Engelmann top is a lighter, less stiff acoustic guitar soundboard wood, offering a warmer, sweeter high end compared to Sitka spruce. Engelmann delivers a richer midrange and a broader, more complex overtone structure, highly responsive to picking dynamics. There’s plenty of classic Martin dreadnought projection on tap, with a bold, defined low end, while the trebles retain plenty of sparkle. This D-28 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings and easy-playing action.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Shape: Low Profile, measuring .830” 1st fret, .885” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Ebony, dot inlay
• Frets: Slender, faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-5
• Scale Length: 25.4”
• Nut: 1 11/16”
• Tuners: Martin-branded
• Serialization: Stamp on neck block dates to 2002, “Custom” stamp

Body Specs:

• Wood: Engelmann spruce, East Indian rosewood
• Bracing: X, straight/non-scalloped
• Bridge: Ebony belly, compensated bone saddle
• Pickguard: Black
• Marquetry: Style 28 rosette, white Boltaron binding (replacement)
• Label: Signed by C.F. Martin IV

The top has new multi-ply binding on the top and back, and the neck profile has been reshot in a Martin-spec satin nitro lacquer. The original gloss nitro lacquer on the body shows some light pick wear across the soundhole and various minor dings and finish scratches, largely on the top.

A Martin molded hardshell case is included.