1940 C.F. Martin & Co. D-28
A 1940 herringbone D-28 — the golden era's twilight. Scalloped bracing, hide glue, and the finest materials before wartime disrupted American guitar making. Exceptional instruments.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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Specifications
| Body Wood | Spruce (top), Brazilian Rosewood (back and sides — herringbone trim, scalloped bracing) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 25.400" |
| Frets | 20 |
| Pickup Config | None (acoustic) |
| Bridge | Ebony belly bridge |
| Tuners | Grover Sta-Tite |
| Finish Options | Natural |
| Est. Production | 240 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic.
What Changed in 1940
Late pre-war herringbone D-28 — WWII would begin for the US in December 1941. These are among the last instruments made with no wartime compromises. Scalloped bracing, Adirondack spruce, Brazilian rosewood at their peak.
Collector's Notes
1940 D-28s are fully pre-war in specification. Slightly more available than mid-1930s examples. The coming war would change everything — these represent the last uncompromised golden-era production.
How to Authenticate a 1940 C.F. Martin & Co. D-28
Martin serial numbers are the most reliable in the industry — verify the number stamped on the neck block (visible through the soundhole) against Martin's published tables. For 1940, the number should fall within the documented range. The back and sides should be Brazilian rosewood — this is the single most important factor in valuation. Brazilian rosewood has distinctive grain variation (chocolate to violet-brown) and a sweet smell. Indian rosewood (post-1969) is more uniform and darker. Scalloped bracing should be visible through the soundhole (use mirror or inspection camera) — this is critical for pre-1944 models. Herringbone purfling is a defining feature of pre-1947 D-28s — verify it's original. Check bridge for original belly-style construction. Martin stamps the model number inside — verify with a mirror. Check for neck resets, top cracks (especially near soundhole and bridge), and bridge plate condition. Tuners should be Grover Sta-Tite. Finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer with age-appropriate wear. Original case adds value.