1942 C.F. Martin & Co. D-28
A 1942 herringbone D-28 — the last full year of scalloped bracing before wartime changes. Still fully pre-war in specification. The golden era was drawing to a close as WWII consumed American industry.
Current Market Value
Excellent
$90,000–$180,000
Very Good
$55,000–$90,000
Good
$34,000–$55,000
Fair
$17,000–$34,000
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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 |
| Nut Width | 1.69" |
| Finish Options | Natural |
| Est. Production | 130 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic.
What Changed in 1942
Final full year of scalloped-bracing herringbone D-28s. The US entered WWII in December 1941 and wartime restrictions were tightening. Production declining. The golden era was ending.
Collector's Notes
1942 D-28s should have scalloped bracing and herringbone — verify both. The transition to non-scalloped bracing began in 1944. These are the last of the golden era proper.