Martin 1966 D-28 Employee [Shipping Free ~ 8/31]

Martin / 1966 D-28 Employee

[Demo Video]

"A highly rare model, the only one of its kind in the world."

"Employee" means "employee," and as the name suggests, it represents a model created by an employee working at MARTIN for their own personal use.

The Employee model reflects the designer's preferences and features unique specifications not found in the regular model.
I also believe that they select the wood during the manufacturing process.

The "D-28" engraved on the neck block suggests that this instrument was built with the D-28 as its target.
Although there is no serial number engraved on it, the wood used suggests that it is a 1960s model.

Also, when you look closely at the center back bracing through the soundhole, you'll see the inscription "CFMartin.Co NAZAREETH PA, MADE IN USA" branded onto it. However, this instrument doesn't have that branding, which made me wonder if they skipped a step in the manufacturing process and instead focused more time and effort on the assembly to create this instrument.

- Brazilian rosewood with beautiful straight grain

The sides and back are made of Brazilian rosewood, which features a striking, finely textured striped pattern.
The use of Brazilian rosewood with its fine, beautiful striped pattern on the sides suggests that high-quality wood was selected.
The binding is made of 3-ply celluloid.

- Center strip

The center strip adorning the Brazilian rosewood back features a pattern commonly known as a checkerboard design.Recruit。
This pattern was changed from the zigzag pattern starting in 1947.

- Spruce that has turned amber

The top is made of spruce, the binding is 6-piece celluloid, and the rosette around the soundhole is the same 3-ring design as the traditional D-28.RecruitI am doing it.
Furthermore, the binding material was changed from Ivoroid to Voltalon in 1966, and this instrument also features Voltalon binding.RecruitBased on these characteristics, I estimate it was manufactured in 1966.

- Tortoiseshell pickguard that retains the original design

The D-28, which debuted in 1934 with 14 frets, has come standard with a tortoiseshell pickguard, but its shape and color have changed over the years.
Until around 1940, the bottom of the pickguard had a gentle curve, but around 1950, the shape changed to one that was somewhat flatter.
Dark tortoiseshell patterns like this one can be seen on instruments from the 1960s onwards.

- Jet black ebony and dot mark

The fretboard is made of ebony.RecruitIt also features mother-of-pearl dot position markers, but what's particularly noteworthy is the position marker at the 7th fret.
The D-28 has two dots by default, but what's noteworthy is their size.
Until 1945, the dot position markers were small.RecruitIn response to this change, the size was increased from 1946 onwards, and this specification continued as the basic specification for later D-28s.

- A bridge that provides clues to identifying the era

The bridge, which, like the fretboard, is made of ebony, is fitted with a short saddle.
Until 1964, saddles were long saddles.RecruitThe information provided—6-ply binding, checkerboard back and center strip—is insufficient to determine the age, as long saddles are mixed in with the others.
This deviceRecruitShort saddles have been around since 1965.RecruitSince it starts to appear, we can infer that it's from the year 1965 or later.

- Thick neck shape

I compared the neck, which is made of mahogany, with that of a D-28 from the early and late 1960s. While the latter has a relatively thin V-shape (with some individual variation), this instrument has a thicker, softer V-shape.RecruitI am doing it.
Perhaps the creator preferred a thicker shape, and that's why it was reflected in the design.

- Wide headstock with rounded corners

The headstock, which features a Brazilian rosewood veneer, does not have the CF Martin decal applied.
This product has a unique design, which may or may not have been intentional on the part of the creator.

- Tuning machines with PAT stamp

From 1958 onwards, the specifications changed from KLUSON shielded back tuners to GROVER rotomatic tuners.
A notable feature of this model, from the late 1960s onwards, is that the washer size becomes slightly larger, as seen in this machine.

[Specifications/Included Case]
TOP: Spruce
BACK/SIDES : Brazilian Rosewood
FINGERBOARD/BRIDGE: Ebony
NECK: Mahogany
Nut width: 43mm
SCALE: 646mm
CASE : Non Original Hard Shell Case

[Repair/modification history / replacement parts / exterior condition, etc.]
*This information is based on our inspection of used/vintage items.
Please be aware of this in advance.
-It is in condition commensurate with its age, with scratches, dents, and scuffs.
- The top has been over-lacquered.
- SH has a crack repair (patch reinforcement) on the lower right.
- There is some peeling of the celluloid on the left side of the back of the body.
- There is a repaired crack on the back of the headstock, extending from the right volute to the top of the 6th string tuning peg.
- The back of the headstock has been refinished due to crack reinforcement.
- The upper part of the center strip on the back of the body has been refinished.
- The back of the neck has paint chipping due to lacquer softening.
- There are signs that the neck has been reset.
- The nut and bridge pins have been replaced with ivory.

[Playing condition]
-String height at the 12th fret: 6th string side 2.4mm, 1st string side 2.1mm
- Saddle protrusion amount: Approximately 1.0 mm
- The saddle has little material left, but it offers comfortable playability.

※consignment
[About the warranty]
GoconsignmentAs this is a used item, it does not come with our store's warranty.
Of course, after your purchase, we are happy to discuss adjustments, repairs, etc. (for a fee) upon request.
Please note that this offer does not apply to our mail-order trial service. (No returns accepted)