1949 Martin D-28 Shade Top Brazilian Rosewood Sunburst Vintage Harptone Case Holy Grail!

As rare as it gets for Martin, this 1949 D-28 Shade Top was one of three shade tops total made in 1949 and one of less than two dozen made in the late 1940s. It is recorded in the Martin production and foreman records as a "D-28 DK" (Dark a.k.a. Shade Top). It was started in production on February 21st, 1949.

This one has had all the work done for you already -- a fresh neck reset, bridge and bridge plate replacement. Saddle is nice and tall. Heavy acoustic strings on it with medium action for bluegrass. It is a total cannon! Very even throughout, not too much low end but not bright by any means. The Brazilian Rosewood really gives it such a rich tone.

The older repairs include a repaired top crack as pictured, a minor back crack that was glued as pictured, and some steaming disruption on the bass side of the neck when it was reset. It also had the tip of the volute repaired due to wear from the case. Blacklight photos of everything are included here and let me know if you need any more. Again, a totally honest guitar ready for a new life.

The bridge pins are vintage replicas made by Elderly Instruments. The end pin appears to be original. The case is an original Harptone but it has seen better days and the fit is so streamlined that I don't want to ship the guitar in it. So I'll ship the guitar in a more modern hardshell dreadnought case and send you the vintage Harptone case separately. I think that covers everything but please don't be shy with questions!