1931 Martin OM-28 - w/ohsc - SN#45925 --- CALL FOR PRICE - 303-421-2304
The Martin OM-28 is an historical instrument. It is the first guitar constructed by Martin Guitars with a neck that attaches at the 14th fret instead of at the 12th fret. It also has a 25.4" scale instead of the more common (up until the introduction of this instrument) 24.9" scale. Originally the idea for the 14 fret neck was brought before Martin by Perry Bechtel who was a plectrum banjo player, and was seeing a decline in the demand for banjos. He thought with a longer scale and more frets to the body, banjo players could transfer over more easily.
It was specifically marketed to banjo players and sported banjo tuners, and no pickguard originally. The neck contour was also shallower and the nut width was narrowed from 1 7/8" down to 1 3/4" all in an effort to convert banjoists. However, the wear the instruments started taking prompted Martin to start installing a small teardrop pickguard, and later a full sized pickguard to protect the top from wear. Eventually the banjo tuners were replaced with standard tuners to appeal more to guitarists. The original 6 prototype OM-28s had a pyramid bridge, eventually they converted the bridge to a belly bridge and the style was pretty much set.
In 1934 Martin Guitars opted to do away with the long scale OMs and introduced the 14 fret model 000-28. Prior to this time 000-28's had been twelve fret guitars with slotted peg heads. This new model 000-28 had all the bells and whistles of the previous models. It had the short scale for easy playability, but it had a 14 fret neck for great access up the neck. Until the re-introduction of the vintage series Martin's the OM-28 was dropped, making these originals particularly rare with only 265 original OM-28s were ever being built.
This guitar originally sported banjo tuners, but they have been replaced by waverly butterbean tuners. It has the original pickguard, but one of the previous owners played this guitar outside of the pickguards protection and so there is some pickwear on the highside of the upper bout. It has a replaced bridge and the bridgeplate had been replaced with an oversized bridgeplate sometime in the 60s or 70s. However, that rosewood bridgeplate has been replaced again with the smaller maple sized one, which is more like the original. It has some wear in the finish on the back of the guitar. The sound of this instrument is fantastic. It is bright, loud, colorful and has a clear bass tone. It plays great, sounds great, and is in excellent condition. It has the original case, as well as a new 5-ply hardshell case.
It has some of the straightest grain Brazilian Rosewood that has passed through the Pickin' Parlor. And the sound? Outstanding, to say the least. It comes with the original case which is rough looking but intact. Call for details. Interested buyers contact the Olde Town Pickin' Parlor.