Up for sale, a 1943 Martin 000-28 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. A one family-owned instrument, this is a notably well-kept Wartime “herringbone” example of one of Martin’s most popular body sizes, produced in very limited quantities due to wartime material shortages.

Tonewoods include a scalloped X-braced Adirondack spruce top framed by herringbone purfling, bookmatched straight grain Brazilian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard and bridge, retaining the original small maple bridge plate. This 000-28 benefits from service due an instrument of its vintage, including a professional neck reset, refret, new ebony bridge, and replacement bone saddle and nut (much of this work was performed by Elderly Instruments)

The sound is clear, sweet-sounding, and exceedingly balanced, with equal presence afforded each string. Notes are crisp and immediate: projection is ample, and the low end is defined yet relaxed. The trebles have a certain dry airiness and are quite round-sounding for single note lines. The 000 body shape is sympathetic to fingerpicking, and the body's tonewoods and overarching voicing offer a versatility for a broad range of genres and gigging/recording scenarios. Weighing 3lbs 12oz, this 000-28 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 12-53 strings and easy-playing action.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Shape: Soft V, measuring .790” 1st fret, .965” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Ebony, pearl notched squares and diamonds inlay
• Frets: Slender, refret, no wear
• Scale Length: 24.9”
• Nut: 1 11/16”, bone (modern)
• Tuners: Kluson open-gear
• Serialization: Stamp on heel block dates to '43

Body Specs:

• Wood: Adirondack Spruce, bookmatched Brazilian Rosewood
• Bracing: X (scalloped)
• Bridge: Ebony with bone saddle (modern), small maple bridge plate (reenforced)
• Pickguard: Tortoise (reseated)
• Marquetry: Herringbone purfling, grained ivoroid binding, Style 28 rosette

Crack-free save for a cleanly addressed and cleated short “B string crack” between the soundhole and bridge, this Martin presents extremely well. The top has been oversprayed yet retains its original gloss, while the back/sides and neck have been refinished decades ago, blacklighting with a uniform UV glow akin to original lacquer. The finish work is of the highest caliber, akin to Martin factory refurbishment. The headstock logo is also a later replacement, presumably done at the same time the body received its finish work. A strap button mounting hole on the neck heel has been cleanly doweled with minimal touch-up.

Any previous playwear is extremely restrained, with a few small dings on top, faint buckle scuffing along the centerline of the back, and a few additional minor scuffs and finish scratches consistent with decades of very careful use. The gloss lacquer finish on the neck profile is clean and smooth, with just a few shallow nicks along the profile length that are virtually undetectable to the palm while fretting.

The original hardshell case is included; the handle has been repaired, and all of the original latches are functional.