1971 Martin D-28 Natural

1971 Martin D-28 Natural
Serial Number: 291916
Weight: 4.94 lbs.
Condition: Good condition, 1971 model. Guitar shows some wear and repairs. Guitar has had multiple cracks in the top repaired, are stable. Neck has been reset, shows some finish wear around the seam, angle is good, shows some ramping above the 14th fret. Shows some scratches, swirls, checking, and some dings in the clearcoat on the body. Comes with original Martin Molded Hardshell case.

This 1971 Martin D-28 in Natural (Serial #291916) is a vintage example of the dreadnought that set the standard for flat-top acoustics. It was built a couple of years after Martin moved from Brazilian to East Indian rosewood in 1969, when Brazil restricted exports of the wood. The back and sides are East Indian rosewood under a Sitka spruce top with Sitka spruce X bracing. That pairing gives the D-28 its deep, rich bass and strong, clear trebles. The body is finished in nitrocellulose lacquer in Natural, with cream multi-ply binding, a multi-ring rosette, and a black pickguard. It weighs 4.94 lb.

The mahogany neck has a soft V carve (.840" at the 1st fret, .995" at the 9th) and a nitro finish, set into the body with a traditional dovetail joint. The neck has been reset, and the angle is good. The ebony fretboard has mother-of-pearl dot inlays, a 16" radius, and 20 vintage-style frets on a 25.4" scale. The bone nut is 1 11/16" wide. The headstock wears a rosewood veneer. A rosewood bridge with a bone saddle carries the strings, and Grover Rotomatic tuners in nickel keep it in tune.

The D-28 covers a lot of ground. It has the power and low end for bluegrass flatpicking, the projection for strumming in a band, and the full voice that singer-songwriters have relied on for decades. Whether you’re a bluegrass player, a songwriter who wants a dreadnought with real history, or a vintage Martin collector, this D-28 fits right in. It’s in good used vintage condition, with wear and repairs consistent with its age. Several cracks in the top have been repaired and are stable. The neck reset left some finish wear around the seam, and there’s some ramping above the 14th fret. The body clearcoat shows scratches, swirls, checking, and some dings. This one (Serial #291916) comes with its original Martin molded hardshell case. Order today from Brian’s Guitars.

Questions about this guitar? We’re happy to help.

Body
Type: Dreadnought
Shape: D-28
Top Material: Sitka Spruce
Bracing Pattern: X
Bracing Material: Sitka Spruce
Body Material: East Indian Rosewood
Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Color: Natural
Body Binding: Cream Multi-ply
Rosette: Multi-Ring

Neck
Material: Mahogany
Shape: Soft V
Dimensions: .840" at the 1st fret, .995" at the 9th fret
Joint: Dovetail, Set-Neck
Fretboard Material: Ebony
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Headstock: Rosewood Veneer
Inlay: Mother of Pearl Dots
Radius: 16"
Frets: 20, Vintage
Scale Length: 25.4"
Nut Width: 1 11/16"
Nut Material: Bone

Hardware
Bridge/Tailpiece: Rosewood Bridge, Bone Saddle
Tuners: Grover Rotomatic
Hardware Finish: Nickel
Pickguard: Black

Other
Case/Gigbag: Martin Hardshell Case