1. 1971 D-28 Serial number 289764
2. Bought by my late father-in-law used, and willed to
me.
3. Original blue thermoplastic HSC included.
4. One extra screw hole on back of peghead from
installation of Higgins peg bender (B bender), since
removed. No other mods needed to be done to install
the bender. If you would like the bender, I will include it and a strap set up for the cable lanyard for an extra $50 - it's a great addition to an acoustic! Brad Higgins (former steel player with Commander Cody) makes them and gives great support.
5. Strap peg installed (correctly) at the treble side
of the neck heel.
6. Some fretboard wear - it's been a bluegrass player
for years and has usual signs of playing wear: a few
back-of-neck dings, minor (glued cleanly) top cracks,
a couple small lacquer cracks in the sides that do not
appear to go through. Frets have a little wear but play well, so I have not wanted to dress them and mess up the mojo.
7. Pickguard *just* starting to curl, with one
related soundhole crack. I've never seen a 70's
Martin without one. I think it's required.
8. Action is 9/64 bass side; 8/64 treble. Solid
bluegrass setup with no buzz. Saddle could lose maybe
another 64th oneach side, but that's it unless you cheat and shave the bridge a hair. Has never had a neck
reset and will be due sometime depending on playing
style (hot-dog up-the-neck players would do it now.
Clarence White-type players like me would leave it
alone since it sounds great).
9. It's a solid player - very full, round tone, louder than
most I've played, and sounds "older" - big lower-mid
blast like a late 40's or 50's. Not the overly bright
treble of new ones. Tremendous "punch" when you dig in to it, and also responds nicely to lighter picking. It has basically broken-in better than you would expect a 35-year old Martin to IMO.
10. I used nickel strings on it (and other Martins)
before the Tony Rice sets were ever available. Sound
much fatter than bronze, sustain better, and vary in
initial tone more depending on attack. I like them a
lot. This one has a Rice set on it - once D'Aquisto
started making them, it was easier than buying
singles.
This is a nice guitar folks, and I'm setting a fair price based only on what we need to cover the necessary expenses, no more. I'd eBay it but don't have time. I would prefer not dealing with dickering over price, please - it's worth it.
You would honestly be doing us a favor by buying it - I will consider it a favor owed to any forum bro' who pulls the trigger on it. If I can repay in any other way I will.
$1,500 including shipping to the lower 48. PLEASE no international sales - in this case, if I had time to deal with shipping rates, special handling etc. I would, but I don't. Alaska and Hawaii - we have to talk and figure out if there are additional shipping costs; I haven't had time to check, this just happened.
Cashier's check or money order, please - no Paypal unless you will cover fees for us. I need to pull out all the cash less shipping and packing out of the sale. I will ship UPS Ground, fully insured, and I pack like a man possessed - it WILL get there safely!
Thanks for your consideration. It is a fine guitar. I was only willing to see it go in trade for another fine instrument, but things happen for a reason I guess.
Jim & Family
