1937 C.F. Martin & Co. D-28
The 1937 Martin D-28 is a pre-war treasure — Brazilian rosewood, scalloped X-bracing, ebony fingerboard, and the craftsmanship of Martin's golden era. These are among the finest acoustic guitars ever made and form the blueprint for virtually every steel-string acoustic built since.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Brazilian Rosewood (back and sides), Sitka Spruce (top) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 25.400" |
| Frets | 20 |
| Bridge | Belly bridge (ebony) |
| Tuners | Grover Sta-Tite (open-back) |
| Nut Width | 1.69" |
| Finish Options | Natural |
| Est. Production | 142 |
What Changed in 1937
Pre-war Martin D-28s of the late 1930s represent the pinnacle of the model's history. The scalloped X-bracing, Brazilian rosewood, and hide-glue construction create a tonal quality that modern guitars strive to replicate.
Notable Examples
Pre-war Martin D-28s appear on countless classic country, folk, and bluegrass recordings of the era.
Collector's Notes
Pre-war Martins must be authenticated carefully — Brazilian rosewood is now CITES Appendix I and requires documentation for international transport. Top cracks are very common after 80+ years and must be evaluated for severity. Neck resets are expected and not necessarily value-reducing if done professionally.