1945 C.F. Martin & Co. D-28
A 1945 D-28 — late wartime production with the transitional combination of herringbone trim and non-scalloped bracing. The war was ending and Martin was beginning to recover production capacity.
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, non-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 | 200 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic.
What Changed in 1945
Late wartime D-28 — non-scalloped bracing standard, but herringbone purfling still present. The war was ending and production was recovering. Transitional instruments with historical significance.
Collector's Notes
1945 D-28s have herringbone but non-scalloped bracing — a unique transitional combination. These are less valuable than scalloped-bracing examples but more than fully post-war models. Interesting to collectors of the transition period.
How to Authenticate a 1945 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 1945, 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. Non-scalloped X-bracing pattern for this era — verify through the soundhole. 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.