1975 Martin D28

[Parlourman]

Hello everyone.

A client of mine (by client, I mean furniture - not guitars - I still haven't made my first yet) came in to the workshop today with a 1975 Martin D28. He doesn't play it. It sits all lonely and I'm thinking of taking it off his hands.

It's in great condition. He had the neck reset 4 years ago. It plays wonderfully. Sounds great.

My question is this: The frets are all in good condition, 2 or three fret wires up the dusty end look like they have lifted (sometime ago), you can slide a thin plectrum under them, and then they have been flattened off so that (i assume) they don't buzz (?). I don't necessarily see that as a problem - unless someone here shouts at me and tells me to run the other way.

I'd appreciate any ones opinions, or experiences with guitars of this age - what else is there to look out for?

Thanks folks.

Steve

[Parlourman]

p.s

if i've posted this in the wrong place - can a mod please move it - thanks.

[tippie53]

Often , if a neck reset was done the frets #14-15-16 tend to get pushed up a bit from the steam 15 being removed then replaced. I don't know about you but I seldom play that far up. If you have to redo those frets it isn't a big deal at all.

[Taffy Evans]

Make sure the neck was not reset to compensate for a bellied up top, if the top is bellied up check inside for possible brace failure. Just a thought.

[jeffhigh]

I had a 1975 D28 that I sold 18 years ago it was a good but not exceptional guitar.
Most of the guys here can build better
But if you like it and it sounds good to you.........

The 70's was not considered a desirable era for Martin due to quality control, a large bridgeplate and a square tube neck rod rather than the earlier T rod or the later adjustable, so the market value is not particularly high.

Check the neck for excess relief and the 12th fret intonation (some bridges were misplaced in this era)