Offered here is a 1978 Martin D-28, serial number 406694, in Very Good condition, accompanied by its original hardshell case in excellent condition.

Built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, this D-28 features a solid Sitka spruce top, solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and traditional non-scalloped X-bracing. It retains the classic appointments associated with Martin's Style 28 instruments of this period, including its multi-stripe rosette, diamond volute, and Grover Rotomatic tuners.

This guitar comes from its original owner, who has entrusted its recent maintenance and repair work to our shop. We initially evaluated the instrument and identified several age-related issues that have since been professionally addressed in-house by our Martin-authorized repair technician. The completed work is documented in our shop's service records.

Recent Professional Repairs & Service

Custom Pickguard Replacement: The original black pickguard had begun shrinking and lifting, a known issue with Martins of this era. It was carefully removed, and the underlying area was prepared and finished as required for proper adhesion. A replacement black celluloid pickguard was custom-fabricated from blank material here in our shop and professionally installed.

Top Crack Repair: During the pickguard replacement process, a small, tight top crack in the high-E-string area was identified and repaired with adhesive. The repair did not require internal cleats and is now concealed beneath the replacement pickguard.

Center Back Strip Repair: A previously lifting section of the center back strip near the tail block end of the instrument was professionally repaired and secured.

Inspection & Setup: The guitar has been professionally inspected and serviced, including fret polishing, fingerboard cleaning and conditioning, hardware inspection, and installation of a fresh set of D'Addario EJ16 phosphor bronze light-gauge strings.

All repairs described above were performed in our shop by a technician currently authorized by Martin for repair and warranty service.

Condition & Originality

Overall condition is Very Good, with cosmetic wear consistent with a nearly five-decade-old instrument that has been played and cared for.

The solid East Indian rosewood back displays attractive natural grain and figuring. The majority of the guitar's cosmetic wear is concentrated on the back, where numerous light surface scratches and areas of buckle rash are visible under direct lighting and at certain viewing angles. No deep gouges or wear extending through to bare wood were observed. Please request more photos if you'd like to see the blemishes in closer detail, thank you.

The top presents well, with the replacement pickguard neatly fitted. The repaired top crack is concealed beneath the guard.

The original frets remain in good condition for their age, with some light flattening beneath the B and high-E strings around frets 1 through 3.

The original ebony bridge remains installed, along with the period-correct Grover Rotomatic tuners. The white bridge pins and endpin with decorative dots are non-original replacements.

No evidence of a previous neck reset, bridge replacement, or major structural damage was identified during our inspection. The original lacquer finish has been retained, with localized finish preparation and work performed beneath the replacement pickguard as described above.

There are no observed binding issues or significant finish checking.

Important Information – Neck Geometry & Action

We want prospective buyers to be fully informed about the current neck geometry and available setup adjustment.

The neck is straight with appropriate relief. However, the instrument's neck angle and remaining saddle height limit how much further the action can be lowered without compromising the string break angle.

Current action at the 12th fret measures approximately:

• Bass side: 7.5/64"
• Treble side: 6.5/64"

Our Martin-authorized repair technician has evaluated the instrument and determined that the saddle could be lowered to achieve approximately 6/64" on the bass side and 5/64" on the treble side, while maintaining an appropriate string break angle. This represents the practical limit of the existing adjustment range.

A neck reset may be desirable for players who prefer lower action or wish to restore additional future setup adjustability. It is not considered immediately necessary for a player comfortable with the existing setup and available adjustment range.

No evidence of a previous neck reset was identified.

We believe this information is important when evaluating any vintage acoustic guitar, and we encourage prospective buyers to consider their individual playing preferences.

Specifications & Features

• Manufacturer: C.F. Martin & Co.
• Model: D-28
• Year: 1978
• Serial Number: 406694
• Made in: Nazareth, Pennsylvania, USA
• Body: 14-fret dreadnought
• Top: Solid Sitka spruce
• Back & Sides: Solid East Indian rosewood
• Finish: Natural gloss lacquer
• Bracing: Standard non-scalloped X-bracing
• Brace Material: Sitka spruce
• Bridge Plate: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany with diamond volute
• Neck Joint: Traditional dovetail
• Neck Profile: Medium/full profile with soft V characteristics
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Bridge: Original ebony belly bridge
• Saddle: Compensated bone drop-in saddle
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Nut Width: 1-11/16"
• Frets: 20 total, 14 clear of body
• Fingerboard Inlays: Style 28 mother-of-pearl dots
• Rosette: Style 28 multi-stripe
• Binding: White Boltaron-style binding with black/white purfling
• Tuners: Grover Rotomatic sealed tuners
• Pickguard: Custom-fabricated replacement black celluloid
• Bridge Pins: White plastic with decorative dots (non-original)
• Endpin: White plastic with decorative dot (non-original)
• Truss Rod: Non-adjustable
• Weight: 4 lb 8 oz
• Strings: Fresh D'Addario EJ16 phosphor bronze lights
• Condition: Very Good
• Case: Original hardshell case, excellent condition

Final Notes

This D-28 offers the traditional construction, appointments, and character associated with Martin's late-1970s dreadnoughts, together with the benefit of single-owner provenance and documented recent professional service.

We have made every effort to describe its condition, originality, repairs, and current setup accurately, including the neck-angle considerations outlined above.

Please examine all photographs carefully, particularly those documenting the cosmetic wear on the back. Additional close-up photographs, measurements, and information about the completed repairs are available upon request.

Professionally inspected and serviced by our Martin-authorized repair shop.

Carefully packed and shipped from our guitar shop. International buyers are welcome.