Martin 000-28 Norman Blake Signature Edition 2004

2004 - 000-28 model (not Brazilian), #144/333. Barely played, exquisite sound & in excellent condition. Comes with Original Martin TKL Geib Style Hard-Shell Case. 

(Description from "The Sounding Board" Vol. 16, January 2004, pg. 14) 

The Norman Blake Signature Models combine Martin’s 14-fret 000 body style and 24.9” scale length with a 12-fret (to the body) neck. This unique combination allows the top braces to be shifted “forward” to cross just below the soundhole and places the bridge lower on the top for greater soundboard vibration. A 00 size soundhole (1/8" smaller than 000) and 1/4" width scalloped braces enhance both bass response and dynamic range.

The 000-28 and 000-28B Norman Blake Signature Models are handcrafted from premium solid tonewoods. The top and top braces are fashioned from Adirondack red spruce, highly prized for brilliant timbre. The neck is carved from genuine mahogany. Where the 000-28 and 000-28B differ is in the wood utilized for the back, sides and headplate: standard East Indian rosewood for the 000-28, and rare C.I.T.E.S.-certified Brazilian rosewood for the 000-28B.

Both guitars feature traditional Martin Style 28 body appointments, including a Golden Era Style 28 rosette of black/white wood and ivoroid, fine-pattern herringbone around the top, black/white back purfling around the back, ivoroid top and back binding, a traditional zigzag back strip and an old-style tortoise colored 000 pickguard, elongated and slightly squared in the vintage style, per Norman’s request.

The satin finished neck is a substantial 1 13/16” width at the nut. Carved with a pointed heel but without the traditional diamond volute, it has a special “Norman Blake” modified-V contour for player comfort. The square, tapered headstock with square slots is equipped with Waverly-Sloane tuners featuring engraved bronze mounting plates and ivoroid buttons. The polished head plate displays the familiar old style “C. F. Martin & Co.” decal, while the back of the headstock bears the antique “C.F. Martin & Co.” pressure stamp.

Custom tall, wide frets on the black African ebony fingerboard provide a similar feel to the bar frets that Norman Blake prefers. The unusual modified snowflake abalone fingerboard inlay pattern comes from a unique 00-42 produced by Martin for the Wurlitzer Company in 1922: a Maltese cross at the 3rd fret, two diamonds at the 5th fret, a square at the 7th fret, two diamonds at the 9th fret, a square with cat’s eyes at the 12th fret and a cat’s eye at the 15th fret. In keeping with Norman Blake’s request for design purity, no inlaid signature appears on the fingerboard.

The black African ebony bridge is equipped with fossilized ivory bridge pins with large pearl dots, elements matched by the end pin. Both the nut and long drop-in saddle are crafted from genuine bone. The guitar body receives a polished gloss finish, with aging toner on the top to accentuate this signature model’s vintage style.

Presented in a GeibTM style vintage case, each 000-28 and 000-28B Norman Blake Signature Model guitar will bear an internal label personally signed by Norman Blake and Martin Chairman and CEO C.F. Martin IV. In addition, the labels will be numbered in sequence for the specific model. The 000-28B Brazilian rosewood model will be limited to just 100 special instruments, while the the 000-28 Norman Blake Special Edition Signature Model will have an unspecified ordering period. After initial orders are tallied for these models, the names of participating dealers will be posted on the Martin Website.