Martin D-28 “Shade Top” Sunburst 1950 – Extremely Rare, 1 of perhaps 4 Made

No sales tax for customers outside California.

Offered here is an exceptionally rare and historically important Martin D-28 “Shade Top” Sunburst from 1950.

Martin production numbers show that four "dark top" D-28 guitars were shipped in 1950.  Their Dark Top designation refers to guitars with sunburst finishes.  I can find evidence of only one other 1950 shade top Martin D-28 

 Known for its balance of projection, warmth, and clarity, the D-28 has long been Martin’s flagship dreadnought—but this early post-war sunburst finish variant takes collectability to the highest level.

Built with a spruce top and Brazilian rosewood back and sides, this guitar delivers the unmistakable power and depth that made the D-28 a cornerstone of bluegrass, folk, and country music. The shade top sunburst finish adds a unique visual appeal, making this not only a player’s dream but also an investment-grade instrument for serious collectors.

This 1950 Martin D-28 shows its age gracefully, with the kind of tonal maturity only possible after more than 70 years of natural resonance. Every chord rings with complex overtones, and flat picked runs cut with incredible clarity and projection. With such an ultra-limited production run, this guitar is an extraordinary piece of Martin history.

We had some restoration work done prior to listing this guitar.  The neck was reset using hide glue and a new bone saddle was installed, and now the action is perfect.

The original bridge and bridge plate are present.  They have been repaired.  A previous owner countered a bridge lift issue by cleanly drilling three holes through the bridge and bridge plate, securing the bridge to the top with three machine bolts!  Luckily, the holes were clean and in the meaty part of the bridge.  The bridge holes were plugged with ebony, and the bridge plate with spruce.  You can barely see the bridge fills from the top.  The bridge was cleaned up where it contacts the guitar and re-glued to the top with hide glue prior to the repair.  A couple of cracks were stabilized and glued in the process.

A very professional refret was performed as well.

The only other change from original - the treble side tuners were once replaced with Kluson machines.  The holes through the headstock were not altered, but you can see the outline of the Kluson machines, and there is one additional tuner mounting screw hole on each of these three locations, hidden by the waffle-back tuners.  I was able to find three original machines to get the set looking correct.

Despite these changes, the guitar is in exceptional condition.  

The guitar wasn't played much for years before it arrived here.  We're playing it in and it sounds bigger and bigger every day, as old Martins will when played regularly - they tend to "go to sleep" when left unplayed.  

The case is an original 50's Martin case, but it was not original to the guitar.  I stumbled into it just after the guitar came in and added it to round out the package.

At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, we specialize in offering rare, documented, and investment-worthy instruments. For additional exceptional examples, explore our Vintage Martin Guitar Collection, or browse iconic dreadnoughts like the 1976 Martin D-28 with Original Hang Tag. Collectors may also appreciate other historically significant models such as our 1945 Martin 000-21 and the myriad of acoustic offerings in our Vintage Acoustic Guitar Collection.

• Color: "Shade Top" Sunburst
• Weight: 4lbs 11oz
• Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
• Body: Solid Brazilian Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany
  
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dots
• Frets: Original
• Fret count: 20
• Nut: Original Bone
• Nut width: 1-11/16"
• Scale: 25.4"
• Radius: 16"
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .855"
• Neck thickness at 10th Fret: 1.3"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
• Total length: 40 3/8"
  
• Body length: 20"
  
• Lower bout: 15 3/4"
  
• Waist: 10 7/8"
  
• Upper bout: 11 9/16"
  
• Body depth/thickness: 4 7/8"
  
• String gauge: .012-.053"
• Pickguard: Original
• Bridge: Original, new bone saddle
• Tuners: Original Kluson Sealfast "Waffleback"
• Case: OHSC
• Notes: 

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