C.F. Martin & Co. Vintage Guitar Price Guide
C.F. Martin & Co. is the oldest guitar manufacturer in the United States, founded by Christian Frederick Martin Sr. in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Martin acoustics are renowned for their tone, craftsmanship, and collectibility — particularly pre-war models.
Founded 1833 · United States
🔢 C.F. Martin & Co. Serial Number System
Martin guitars have the most consistent serial number system of any major manufacturer, with sequential numbers from 1898 onward. Martin serial numbers directly correspond to production year with minimal ambiguity.
Look up a C.F. Martin & Co. serial number →All C.F. Martin & Co. Models
000-28
acoustic1902–present
The Martin 000-28 is a compact auditorium-size guitar with the classic spruce-over-rosewood construction. Pre-war examples with scalloped bracing and herringbone trim are among the finest fingerpicking guitars ever built. Eric Clapton's use of a 1939 000-28 on his 'Unplugged' album brought widespread attention to the model.
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D-18
acoustic1932–present
The Martin D-18 is the mahogany-back sibling to the rosewood D-28 — lighter, warmer, and favored for its focused midrange tone and excellent projection. Introduced in 1932 alongside the D-28 as Martin expanded the dreadnought lineup, the D-18 became particularly popular with bluegrass flat-pickers and folk singers. Pre-war examples with scalloped bracing are highly prized.
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D-28
acoustic1931–present
The Martin D-28 is the definitive flat-top acoustic guitar. Introduced in 1931, the dreadnought body size and spruce-over-rosewood construction set the template for acoustic guitars worldwide. Pre-war D-28s (pre-1946) with scalloped bracing are among the most sought-after acoustic instruments in existence.
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D-35
acoustic1965–present
The Martin D-35 was introduced in 1965 as a creative solution to declining availability of wide rosewood planks needed for the traditional two-piece D-28 back. The D-35 features a distinctive three-piece back using narrower rosewood strips, which actually produces a slightly different tonal character — many players prefer its slightly more complex overtones. The D-35 became a staple of country and singer-songwriter recordings through the 1970s.
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D-45
acoustic1933–present
The Martin D-45 is the pinnacle of the flat-top acoustic guitar — Martin's most ornate and expensive production dreadnought, featuring elaborate abalone pearl inlays around the body, fingerboard, and headstock. Pre-war D-45s (1933-1942) are among the rarest and most valuable acoustic guitars ever made, with fewer than 100 produced before World War II halted production.
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OM-28
acoustic1929–present
The Martin OM-28 (Orchestra Model) features a 000 body size with a longer 25.4-inch scale neck, making it a favorite of fingerstyle players. Original OM models were produced from 1929-1933, then discontinued and revived in 1990. The originals are extremely rare and valuable.
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