1897 Martin 0-28 Guitar
(Serial No. none) Here is a guitar that you don't see every day. This is a pre-1898 gut string Style 028. The stamp on the inside of the back is C.F. Martin and Co. New York. This dates the guitar before 1898, as the stamp inside on the back changes at that time. The back and sides are Brazilian rosewood, the top is Adirondack, the scale is 24.9 inches, the nut is 1 7/8 inches, and the fretboard is 19 frets with no position markers, which is correct for style 28 at this time. Has an ebony pyramid bridge with the original bridge pins. I am told it is either 1896 or 1897 due to the original dark orange top finish. I have seen many of these with a solid peghead and friction pegs, but this is a 12 fret slotted peghead with geared tuners. The size of the body dimensions agree with the 12 fret Style 0 models in the Longworth book. The guitar has been completely gone through by luthier Steve Kovacik, the neck was reset, the original bar frets were dressed, and the finish was touched up as needed with French polish by David LaPlante. Plays beautifully with a nice low action and a full sound.

Click for pricing and to return to the main page

Click the picture for a very large high resolution pic. Use your back browser button to return.