1952 C.F. Martin & Co. D-28
An early 1950s D-28 — the Hank Williams era. Brazilian rosewood, ebony fingerboard, and the fully refined post-war construction. The sound of country music in its golden age.
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) |
| 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 | 1,400 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic.
What Changed in 1952
Early 1950s D-28 — the Hank Williams era. The D-28 was the sound of country music. Ebony fingerboard and bridge still standard. Post-war construction fully mature. Brazilian rosewood of excellent quality.
Notable Examples
Hank Williams was closely associated with Martin dreadnoughts during this era.
Collector's Notes
Early 1950s D-28s with ebony fingerboards and bridges command a premium over later rosewood-fingerboard examples. Check for original ebony components.
How to Authenticate a 1952 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 1952, 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. 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.