Guitar For Sale: 2000 Martin Custom Shop 000-28 – Brazilian Rosewood – Mandolin Brothers Special Order
Serial #708865 – Dated 04/05/2000
A remarkable Custom Shop Martin built for Mandolin Brothers, Staten Island NY in April 2000. This is a 1 of 1 premium 000-28 featuring genuine Brazilian rosewood back & sides paired with a tight-grained Adirondack spruce top, delivering the tone, response, and depth that have made these wood combinations the high-water mark for fingerstyle and flatpicking players alike. The wood profile is truly unique - I have played plenty of Brazilian rosewood guitars which in comparison are relatively uniform - the beauty of this guitar speaks for itself in the pictures below (note: The glare from the finish may obscure this in some views, but let me know and I’m happy to take more to try and capture different angles).I am the original owner and it has remained with me for the last 25 years under my watch and care. It has served me well over the years, but time to find a new caring owner. 

The guitar has the clarity and perfect mid-range sweet overtones that only well-seasoned Brazilian can produce. Balanced across the spectrum, with rich low-end warmth, crisp trebles, and a blooming sustain—this is a lifetime instrument and an exceptional example of Martin’s Custom Shop work (hopefully captured in the video I shared demonstrating the warmth and lasting sustain). This is definitely not your standard Brazilian Rosewood or an ‘attempted replica’ (e.g. the 1937s which you see a lot of on this platform), but truly a one of one because of it’s combination of unique herringbone on the back and front with uniquely textured wood profile. Hard to let this one go on a personal level! Here are some more specs to share; 

Specifications
• Model: Martin Custom Shop 000-28
• Date: April 5, 2000
• Serial #: 708865
• Back & Sides: Brazilian Rosewood
• Top: Adirondack Spruce
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard & Bridge: Ebony
• Amplification Pickup installed (honestly don’t recall the brand or type but it works well!)
• Bracing: (standard 000-28)
• Finish: Natural
• Original Case: In good condition

Condition
Overall great condition for its age with some wear in a few areas that I will highlight for full transparency;

• Frets regularly polished removing any oxidation
• Fretboards oiled and cleaned
• Note that the action is set fairly low to the fretboard (which is to my liking) for mostly strumming and ease of play. 
• The neck has some wearing of the finish on the back and does not feel as smooth as the original finish showing its age.
• Between the 3 and 4th fret on the top there is a crack in the finish (hard to see in the pic, but can take more photos if requested)
• On the Adirondack top, there is scratch on the top left (from a front view) from the mid section- clearly visible in photos below. Also on the top the finish is showing age/wearing in a few areas
• There is a small crack on the side bottom (right), but is not visible and I can only tell by rubbing a hand across it (really doesn’t show in a photo or in person) but probably spans an inch in length
• Behind the headstock there are a few scratches shown in the photos.
• That said, it has been lovingly cared for in a stable, humidity controlled (yes currently in Florida after spending much of it’s life in Georgia and Virginia) - also in a smoke-free environment. 

Tone Notes
• Warm, open bass with articulate fundamental
• Complex Brazilian overtones and long sustain
• Responsive to a light touch, but has headroom when pushed
• Ideal for fingerstyle, vocal accompaniment, or light flatpicking

Why this guitar is special
Custom Shop Martins with Brazilian rosewood and Adirondack tops are no longer common, and those built for Mandolin Brothers hold particular interest for collectors and tonewood connoisseurs. A premium piece for players and collectors seeking top-tier Martin craftsmanship with rare tonewoods now heavily restricted. Also I have the original paper work and special order from Mandolin brothers. 

Price: $17,499
Reasonable offers considered. Shipping included is 3-5 day ground with $2,000 insurance (this has worked great I generally insure $2,000 on these types of guitars in the case of needed repairs - but have never had an issue shipping in a proper box (won’t charge for the box) - however if you want to insure for the full price, I will get a quote for you but that will be in addition to the standard shipping (tends to be quite high from UPS or Fedex).

Of course, if you are in Orlando, FL, in-person visits welcome for serious buyers and can remove shipping if you pick up in person. Happy to have a chat if you want to discuss further details - just message me and we can exchange numbers.