C. F. Martin 0-28K Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1927)
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Item # 10424
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C. F. Martin 0-28K Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1927), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 34606, natural varnish finish, koa wood body; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
Starting in the mid/late 1910's Martin began fielding requests to make Hawaiian style guitars, as a craze for native musical stylings had recently taken hold of the country. After some (in retrospect) quizzical experiments with fan-bracing tops, Martin settled on retaining their trademark X-bracing, simply replacing the rosewood and spruce normally used for the body with native Hawaiian koa wood. The scalloped X-bracing pattern was the same as used on the standard Martins, just beefed up just a bit as these were intended from the start to use steel strings. While many were destined to be used as lap-style instruments, the early examples were fretted and set up more-or-less standard style with a nut elevator used to adapt them for steel playing as needed.
The 0-28K was one of the more deluxe models, first shipped in 1918 but not officially cataloged until 1923. This one dates to 1927, one of 175 shipped out this year, which was the peak of production for the model. After the mid-20's Martin began to usually ship them in a dedicated Hawaiian mode, but at this point they were still finished out as standard guitars adaptable for lap-style play. As the Hawaiian bands used guitars for rhythm as well as lead, often the same group would request several identical models with differing set ups!
This guitar has the same basic features as a standard 1927 Martin 0-28, with the exception of a fantastically grained koa body in place of spruce and rosewood. The straight cross-grain figure on the top, back and even sides this guitar is truly stunning, one of the fanciest koa Martins from this period we have seen. The body bindings are ivoroid with the celebrated herringbone trim around the top, the classic mark of the Style 28.
The 12-fret neck is mahogany, with a slotted rosewood-faced headstock and unbound ebony fingerboard inlaid with small slotted pearl diamonds. The tuners are engraved Waverly strips with ivoroid buttons. Construction is very light overall, even compared to later Hawaiian style Martins. Many of these instruments were damaged from use as Hawaiian guitars in the old A tunings with the heavy strings of the period.
Martin's koa models were somewhat more expensive than standard models in any given style; this guitar listed for $75 (without case) in 1927, which was a fairly substantial sum at the time. The company imported the woods from Hawaii, usually using an intermediary on the west coast but the process must have added considerable expense. Early koa Martins like this are really a connoisseur's delight, a different and distinct flavor of the best small body flat tops ever made and especially favored for fingerpicked and, as intended, Hawaiian styles.
Overall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.).
This guitar remains in very fine condition overall, with only some typical light finish wear and very well-executed repairs. The thin lacquer finish has some general wear with small dings, dents and scrapes but the only really notable damage is an area on the top just below the soundhole that is down to the wood. The back of the neck is very clean, with only a bit of light wear. There are no grain cracks in the flamey koa body, which is rather unusual for 95 years on!
The ebony bridge remains original; it lifted up at some point which very common on these, as they were subjected to higher tension than many Martins when new. It has been re-glued, probably more than once, with some of the koa just along the forward edge patched back in. This was neatly done and not conspicuous, but noticeable on close inspection. The bridge itself has a new saddle and small holes in the wings (for added retaining screws long ago) have been neatly filled in.
The neck has been very cleanly reset to the original bridge height with only the saddle replaced. The bar frets have been very neatly replaced and the guitar is very playable, the bone nut is also later. The guitar retains its original deluxe three-on-a plate white button Waverly tuners that still work fine. The original finish is intact throughout without overspray, except the very minor touch-up in front of the bridge.
The interior of the guitar is quite clean. The thin maple bridge plate is a replacement; the new piece is the same size and depth as the original but is extended just slightly forward to support the repaired spot on the top in front of the bridge. Even considering this repair work this is a supremely lovely, beautifully preserved example of a 1920's deluxe koa Martin, a fancy, superbly elegant looking guitar and a great player with a very fine sound. Overall Excellent Condition.
Starting in the mid/late 1910's Martin began fielding requests to make Hawaiian style guitars, as a craze for native musical stylings had recently taken hold of the country. After some (in retrospect) quizzical experiments with fan-bracing tops, Martin settled on retaining their trademark X-bracing, simply replacing the rosewood and spruce normally used for the body with native Hawaiian koa wood. The scalloped X-bracing pattern was the same as used on the standard Martins, just beefed up just a bit as these were intended from the start to use steel strings. While many were destined to be used as lap-style instruments, the early examples were fretted and set up more-or-less standard style with a nut elevator used to adapt them for steel playing as needed.
The 0-28K was one of the more deluxe models, first shipped in 1918 but not officially cataloged until 1923. This one dates to 1927, one of 175 shipped out this year, which was the peak of production for the model. After the mid-20's Martin began to usually ship them in a dedicated Hawaiian mode, but at this point they were still finished out as standard guitars adaptable for lap-style play. As the Hawaiian bands used guitars for rhythm as well as lead, often the same group would request several identical models with differing set ups!
This guitar has the same basic features as a standard 1927 Martin 0-28, with the exception of a fantastically grained koa body in place of spruce and rosewood. The straight cross-grain figure on the top, back and even sides this guitar is truly stunning, one of the fanciest koa Martins from this period we have seen. The body bindings are ivoroid with the celebrated herringbone trim around the top, the classic mark of the Style 28.
The 12-fret neck is mahogany, with a slotted rosewood-faced headstock and unbound ebony fingerboard inlaid with small slotted pearl diamonds. The tuners are engraved Waverly strips with ivoroid buttons. Construction is very light overall, even compared to later Hawaiian style Martins. Many of these instruments were damaged from use as Hawaiian guitars in the old A tunings with the heavy strings of the period.
Martin's koa models were somewhat more expensive than standard models in any given style; this guitar listed for $75 (without case) in 1927, which was a fairly substantial sum at the time. The company imported the woods from Hawaii, usually using an intermediary on the west coast but the process must have added considerable expense. Early koa Martins like this are really a connoisseur's delight, a different and distinct flavor of the best small body flat tops ever made and especially favored for fingerpicked and, as intended, Hawaiian styles.
Overall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.).
This guitar remains in very fine condition overall, with only some typical light finish wear and very well-executed repairs. The thin lacquer finish has some general wear with small dings, dents and scrapes but the only really notable damage is an area on the top just below the soundhole that is down to the wood. The back of the neck is very clean, with only a bit of light wear. There are no grain cracks in the flamey koa body, which is rather unusual for 95 years on!
The ebony bridge remains original; it lifted up at some point which very common on these, as they were subjected to higher tension than many Martins when new. It has been re-glued, probably more than once, with some of the koa just along the forward edge patched back in. This was neatly done and not conspicuous, but noticeable on close inspection. The bridge itself has a new saddle and small holes in the wings (for added retaining screws long ago) have been neatly filled in.
The neck has been very cleanly reset to the original bridge height with only the saddle replaced. The bar frets have been very neatly replaced and the guitar is very playable, the bone nut is also later. The guitar retains its original deluxe three-on-a plate white button Waverly tuners that still work fine. The original finish is intact throughout without overspray, except the very minor touch-up in front of the bridge.
The interior of the guitar is quite clean. The thin maple bridge plate is a replacement; the new piece is the same size and depth as the original but is extended just slightly forward to support the repaired spot on the top in front of the bridge. Even considering this repair work this is a supremely lovely, beautifully preserved example of a 1920's deluxe koa Martin, a fancy, superbly elegant looking guitar and a great player with a very fine sound. Overall Excellent Condition.