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
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Thinking About Selling Your 1931 C.F. Martin & Co. OM-28?
We buy directly from owners — no auction fees, no waiting. Get a fair offer based on current market data.
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 | 78 |
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.
How to Authenticate a 1931 C.F. Martin & Co. OM-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 1931, 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. Orchestra Model — verify 25.4-inch scale length (longer than the similar-looking 000-28). Original 1929-1933 OM-28s are extremely rare. Banjo-style tuners on the earliest models. 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.