1934 Martin 000-28 (OM Specs) Acoustic Guitar-Used

This early 14-fret 000-28 is special for a couple of reasons. For starters, it was a stand-alone order started February 21, 1934 for Tom of the “Tom & Don” duo on Chicago’s WLS Barn Dance (Don ordered a matching 12-fret 000-28 Hawaiian version). Serial number 55565 is also the first 000-28 made in 1934, and it has all the same features as the last OM-28 models made the previous year, including the long 25.4″ scale, bar stock frets, and ebony neck reinforcement.

But this Martin is impressive even if you ignore all the historical hoopla, as despite obviously seeing lots of use it has survived the last 92 years in remarkably original condition. It has its original tuners, nut, pickguard and bridge, even has the original bridge pins and end pin (there are seven bar stock frets in the case, we’re assuming those are originals and seven were replaced when neck was reset). It has its original finish throughout with no touchup or overspray (see notes on headstock facing below), and the internal bracing is all original including the bridge plate. The only difference between this guitar and an OM-28 from 1933 is the model code stamped on the neck block.

The only repair we can detect is the proper neck reset, and although we don’t know when it was done it was certainly a clean, hard-to-detect job. If not for finding the old frets in the case we probably would have assumed all frets were original. We try not to rave about how guitars sound compared to other examples of the same style and vintage, but this 000-28 has all the volume and clarity you could hope to find in 14-fret rosewood 000. The neck has the “rounded V” profile, and is a full 1 3/4″ wide at the nut. Another plus, of course, is what appears to be the original case, and the July 1989 letter from Mike Longworth at Martin.

About the headstock: There is no C. F. Martin decal, and the back of the headstock has the stamp. Martin was already using the decal but since this was a special order, maybe Tom didn’t want one? (period photos make it hard to tell if Don’s slotted headstock 000-28 had a decal) The headstock appears original but we’ll probably never know for sure.