1968 Martin D-28 Vintage Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Brazilian Rosewood w/ Case

Up for sale, a 1968 Martin D-28 dreadnought in excellent condition, complete with the original hardshell case. This Martin features the classic tonewood combination of an X-braced Sitka spruce top, bookmatched Brazilian rosewood back and sides, original small maple bridge plate, mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard and bridge. Essential maintenance includes a professional neck reset, a new bone nut, and a carved and compensated drop-in saddle.

Bold and detailed, this Martin is emblematic of its tonewood complement, with the piano-like clarity and string-to-string balance synonymous with Nazareth, PA’s finest output (not to mention the solid Brazilian rosewood back and sides). This D-28 has more boom and kick in the bass register than many produced in the decade prior, offering a muscular sound with tons of projection. The plain strings are round-sounding with a punchy quality and a high treble sparkle, while the midrange is rich and textured. An aftermarket K&K undersaddle pickup has also been installed for when this D-28's ample acoustic properties warrant further amplification. This guitar weighs 4lbs 13oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-54 bronze strings and easy-playing action.

The mahogany neck has a substantial profile carve that splits the difference between a U and soft V shape, measuring .885” deep at the 1st fret and 1.015” at the 9th. The ebony fretboard has been refretted, and the slender fretwire exhibits moderate wear beneath the plain strings on the crowns of frets 1-5, playing cleanly in every register up the 25.4" scale with a straight neck. The hand-carved bone nut measures 1 11/16” in width. The headstock has a Brazilian rosewood veneer and pristine original gold Martin logo, and the original set of Grover Rotomatic Pat Pending tuning machines turn smoothly and hold accurate pitch with extremely clean plating.

On the body, the original ebony bridge sits flush with the top on all edges, and a new tall carved and compensated bone saddle has been installed. This D-28 also benefits from a professional neck reset, ensuring the neck meets the body at the ideal angle for decades of future viability. The original black pickguard is intact with sparingly little shrinkage, sitting notably flat.

The original gloss nitro lacquer finish exhibits no touch-up or overspray, with broad lacquer checking and some requisite pick wear across the strum path. There are two stable, professionally-addressed splits on the body; one on top, paralleling the treble-side fretboard extension, and one on back at the bass-side upper bout. There is an area of very light buckle back on the back on the treble-side lower bout, and wear is otherwise limited to a handful of minor dings and light finish scratches on the body as a whole. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, with a few shallow nicks along the profile length that have no impact on playability. A strap button has also been added to the treble side of the neck heel.

The original hardshell case with green plush interior is included.