F/S 1947 D-28

Posted on: January 5, 2012 - 8:05am

Salem, Oregon (45 minutes south of Portland)

F/S 1947 D-28, #100713
This is a wonderful sounding and playing guitar.  It has that throaty tone that you only find in a vintage Martin.  This is not mine,  so let me tell you what I know and have learned about this guitar.
It did not leave Nazareth with the burst finish and the coloring is not consistent with a Martin factory job from the 50’s or 60’s. (Martin says repair records are only kept for 5 years.)  This was acquired by the present owner, a widow and her late husband about 30 years ago.

This is one of 450 D-28 models made in 1947. It has tapered braces, chainlink backstripe and the original Kluson tuners.

The incomparable Dennis Berck, of Eugene, Oregon, one of the leading vintage Martin repairmen in the country, has done a reset and refret on this instrument.  I'm told by those with better ears than mine, the intonation is spot on. At one time the bridge was bolted on, and Dennis installed a new bridge, ivory saddle and patched the original bridge plate. Also a small ding was repaired on the left lower bout, almost at the binding, this occurred before I ever saw it.  It comes with what appears to be the original case. This guitar needs nothing, but to be played and enjoyed. Dennis set it up with medium action, for medium strings.

I am selling this for a woman, a friend of a friend, who lost her husband a few years ago. He was an amateur musician and luthier and enjoyed building mandolins.  They acquired this guitar about 1981. Many more pictures are available.

$12,250 Cash, Check, Money Order, Wire Transfer.  The guitar is located in Salem, Oregon about 45 minutes south of Portland. Buyer pays actual shipping cost. (I have a somewhat discounted FedEx account and have experience shipping instruments all over the world)  If you like, I can personally deliver within a 200 mile radius. More pictures available. PM me with your phone number if you'd like to talk about this fine instrument.
It would make a heck of a "birth year" guitar.
Thanks for looking,

Terry