1949 Martin D-28 C Custom Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - One of One

This is a 1949 1949 Martin D-28 C Custom Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar. We are helping a customer sell this one on consignement. We have received the following information from Martin on this Guitar...

“This guitar was a special order of only one. It was stamped on November 23rd 1949 and cleared final inspection on December 30th 1949.”

The following information was provided by Gruhn Guitars...

"Upon examination we note that this guitar is constructed with single-ply white fingerboard edge binding, a feature which is not catalog standard for style 28 instruments. Otherwise, this instrument seems to comply with catalog-standard style 28 construction and appears structurally to be in excellent condition. While the originality and condition of any instrument finish is better judged in person and confirmed through forensic testing, based on the photos provided to Gruhn Guitars, the finish appears to be original and exhibits typical deterioration with lacquer checking, small impact marks, and superficial surface scratches. In other respects, this instrument conforms to the typical specifications of the model for the period in which it was made with dreadnought-size flat-top body, Adirondack spruce top with on-scalloped X-bracing (e.g., catalog specifications call for Sitka spruce, but Adirondack spruce is occasionally seen during this period and was not necessarily a special-order item), Brazilian rosewood peghead veneer, back, and sides, “checkerboard” wood marquetry center back strip, tortoiseshell grain plastic pickguard, classic “5-9-5” multi-ply white & black soundhole rosette, “lower belly style” ebony bridge with “through style” saddle, white bridge pins with black center dots, mahogany neck with white heel cap and diamond-shaped volute, gold-color “C.F. Martin & Co.” logo peghead decal, “no line” Kluson Deluxe tuners with metal buttons (e.g., early version without visible post hole on interior edge), 20-fret ebony fingerboard (e.g., 14 frets clear of the body) with mother-of-pearl graduated-size dot inlays, multi-ply white & black edge binding on body top, triple-ply white/black/white edge binding on body back, and other typical Martin style D-28 appointments. Current market value: $25,000 (twenty-five thousand dollars). Establishing the market value of “one-off” special-order factory-built instruments is more subjective than production models with catalog-standard specifications. They can be compared at best to other similar instruments by the same maker with equivalent levels of materials and ornamentation. In this case, the presence of fingerboard edge-binding does not affect sound or playability, and therefore, in our opinion, does not significantly affect the current market value. This appraisal assumes that there are no problems with neck-set angle, fret condition, loose bracing, or bridge."

Now this is back to me, the owner of Memorial Music, describing the instrument in person. It appears to be in Great to Excellent Condition. The one downside is that this Guitar does have a slight Neck bow. It is still playable in current condition, but would probably need a neck reset to get it in Excellent playing condition. We have reduced the price from "Market Value" due to this issue. Per the owner...the Guitar has literally been sitting in it's Case since the mid 80's. So it hasn't been played in over 40 years. From what he remembers, he is the second owner. The Guitar has a few scratches and Finish dings on the Top. Nothing out of the ordinary. In fact...it's rather shocking how good of shape this instrument is in considering the age. The Back is more of the same 4-5 Finish scratches/dings. The Sides appear to be in really good shape. The Headstock is in Great shape as well other than some light wear on the Front/Left side. We just cleaned it up and put a Brand New set of light gauge Strings on it. Comes with a Hard Case but I do not believe this is the Original. We do not keep this instrument on location and viewing is by appointment only. Free Shipping.