1931 C.F. Martin & Co. OM-28

Peak production of the original OM-28 — the most available year of the original run, though still extremely rare. Scalloped bracing, herringbone trim, Brazilian rosewood. The ideal fingerstyle acoustic.

Current Market Value

Excellent
$95,000$190,000
Very Good
$60,000$95,000
Good
$38,000$60,000
Fair
$19,000$38,000

* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology

Specifications

Body WoodSpruce (top), Brazilian Rosewood (back and sides — herringbone trim, scalloped bracing)
Neck WoodMahogany
FingerboardEbony
Scale Length25.400"
Frets20
Pickup ConfigNone (acoustic)
BridgeEbony belly bridge
TunersGrover Sta-Tite
Finish OptionsNatural
Est. Production78

Pickups & Electronics

Pure acoustic fingerpicking guitar.

What Changed in 1931

Peak production year for the original OM-28 run. Scalloped bracing, herringbone purfling, Brazilian rosewood, Adirondack spruce. The design was popular but Martin would discontinue it in 1933 in favor of the 000 designation.

Collector's Notes

1931 is the most available year of the original OM-28 run but still very rare in absolute terms. Full pre-war specifications throughout. These guitars set the template for the modern fingerstyle acoustic.