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I'm looking at an old Martin D-28 and I need some info about its age and value. It has D-28 and the number 98671 stamped in the neck block. It needs a few repairs, and I want to know what I have before I wade in where I shouldn't. Thanks.

1947 probably means it's BRW.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Nice find!

Thanks, Ronn.
I definitely think it's BRW. Old dreds aren't worth much to me, so I think I'll pull it apart and use the BRW. I wonder how hard it would be to rebend the sides and make a SJ?

Yup, and I'm going to pull the engine out of a Ferrari to make a trike.

Al

How about some pics before you start the dismantling process.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Indian rosewood replaced Brazilian in 1969 according to The Blue Book. Fwiw.

Mike

[QUOTE=BruceH] Thanks, Ronn.
I definitely think it's BRW. Old dreds aren't worth much to me, so I think I'll pull it apart and use the BRW. I wonder how hard it would be to rebend the sides and make a SJ?
[/QUOTE]

Blasphemy...

Really, I would check on the value first. While I know Dreads are unpopular with some they are the Holy Grail to others and a 40's Martin in fair shape could bring you enough cash to buy a few sets of BW depending where you buy. It might even be worth a pretty good repair bill just to resell it if you buy it right. Just a thought.

Bruce contact this guy he'll give the lowdown and an estimate of the value.

I most certainly wouldn't take it apart for the wood!

Colin

Vintage Martins

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I'm just jerking your chains, guys.

Actually it belongs to a friend of the family. I've done some repair work for them in the past and they want me to put it back in playable condition. I'm trying to decide if I can do it justice. It had been handed down through the family and used as the "beginners" guitar so the the kids have been beating on it.

Thanks.

Mind you it is a Dreadnaught so I probably would take it apart for the scrap value!

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Now I don't have to dismantle a Ferrari.

Al

you are probably looking at a medium to high four figures left sort of value depending upon how beat on it is. were it in really good shape five figures left might well be expected.

grunhs or mandolin bros could give you more precise ballpark figures.

That is a $5000 guitar. Even in bad shape you can expect $3500. Don't just tear into it as this guitar does have TRUE VALUE.
   If this is restored you can see more.
john hall
blues creek guitars

I'll give you 3500 for a 1947 D-28 no questions asked.   

Just kidding... I'd ask questions for sure. I have a 1950 D-28 which, even with extensive repair work, blows most other D-28's out of the water. Very special one indeed... I know, everyone says that... This one was played by a couple of masters who called it "a prize D-28."

All that said, I'd be very interested in a D-28 from 47 like that... Or, if any parts have to be replaced, I'm sure I could use those as well... especially a few closed backed kluson waffle backs from that era...pharmboycu39070.0645486111

More info: This guitar has been in the owners' family for a long, long time. They just want it returned to playable condition. There is no chance that they will sell it or that I will butcher it and attempt repairs beyond what I'm able to do. I'll post some pics later tonight and hopefully you guys can give me some input on what it needs. I know it needs some cracks glued, the bridge repositioned, a neck reset, and some fret work.

you have a Ferrari? ;)

Had one for about 10 years. It was a neet toy, but no longer fits my lifestyle.

Al

Best case, they could end up with something like this one!burbank39070.4403356481

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

A vintage guitar of this age should have resorative repairs done. That means that any repair that you do can be reversed.
    No superglue and these was a hide glue construction. This can be a bog advatage in that hide glue will reamalgate or melt into itself. Yes you still want to get the surfaces as clean as possible.
   If you need advice feel free to call as this is a very valuable guitar and is worth the effort for sure.
john hall
blues creek guitars.
570-682-8046

[QUOTE=tippie53]   A vintage guitar of this age should have resorative repairs done. That means that any repair that you do can be reversed.
    No superglue and these was a hide glue construction. This can be a bog advatage in that hide glue will reamalgate or melt into itself. Yes you still want to get the surfaces as clean as possible.
   If you need advice feel free to call as this is a very valuable guitar and is worth the effort for sure.
john hall
blues creek guitars.
570-682-8046[/QUOTE]

John's right, I undertake repairs for the RCM and RAM museums on historic instruments and the golden rule is that any restoration must be reversible so that future generations can return it to the unrestored state.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Man I really do need to use spell checker

LOL

john

Here are a few pics. Rest assured that I'm not going to touch it and I will stress to it's owner the importance of having a qualified person do the appropriate repairs.

I'm no repairman, but from those pics, looks like the bridge has been removed and re-glued at some point, and who ever did it didn't clean up after him/herself.

Also, that's a low saddle with the string slots looking like they are cut right to the saddle. No doubt this guitar needs a neck reset and new saddle. Maybe a new bridge if those slots are cut back that far.

I'm sure the more experienced repairmen will have more to add or correct my stupidity.

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