C.F. Martin & Co D-28 Authentic 1937

An "Authentic" D-28 Inspired by 1937: Martin DNA in Its Most Faithful Version

The D-28 Authentic 1937 follows an "authentic" approach: a dreadnought designed to closely match the specifications and feel of late 1930s instruments. Notably, it features a neck/body joint at the 14th fret with a glued dovetail neck joint, a 1937 long pattern, and traditional aesthetics (bold herringbone, "diamonds and squares" inlays, vintage finishes) that place this model at the top of the range for enthusiasts of historic acoustic tones.

For Whom and Which Styles?

This folk dreadnought is primarily aimed at intermediate to expert guitarists seeking an expressive, dynamic acoustic guitar that is highly responsive to touch. Its size and power reserve make it an excellent partner for bluegrass, country, folk, and pick-style accompaniment, while remaining very inspiring for fingerstyle playing thanks to its clarity and definition across the entire spectrum.

Sound

The solid Adirondack spruce top is renowned for its power handling and wide dynamic range: it responds delicately to light attacks and withstands strong playing without collapsing. The Standard scalloped X bracing (Authentic Style) "forward shifted" promotes a freer top, with broad projection, authoritative lows, and a crisp attack typical of dreadnoughts from this era. The solid Guatemala rosewood back and sides provide depth, controlled brightness, and sustain, while the ebony fingerboard and bridge enhance precision and articulation clarity. The result is a broad, harmonically rich sound, ideal for supporting a band or filling space in solo performance.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To maintain the original string tension and balance, you can keep the factory-installed set: Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Medium (SP7200), suitable for this steel-string acoustic guitar.

Technical specifications

Category	Steel String Shaped Body	Nbrs of frets	20
Format	Dreadnought	Scale (mm)	645 mm
Left handed	No	Tuning pegs	Waverly
Cutaway	No	Bridge	Ebony
Strings	Steel	Nut	Bone 42.9 mm (Head), offset bone radius 406 mm (Bridge)
Nbr of strings	6	Original Strings	Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Medium (SP7200)
Bracing	X	Cover/case	Type 545V Harptone
Nets	Ivoroid	Neck Type	Glued
Neck	Solid mahogany	Electroacoustic	No
Neck format	1937 Barrel & Heel	Color	Natural
Nut Width	44.4 mm	Finishing	Vintage varnish
Fingerboard	Ebony	Hardware	Nickel
Marker	Style diamonds & squares

Body type	dreadnought, neck/body joint at 14th fret	Sides joint inlay	black/white Boltaron
Top	solid Adirondack spruce	Finish	vintage lacquer
Back and sides	solid Guatemala rosewood	Back and sides finish	vintage lacquer
Top bracing type	Standard scalloped X (Authentic Style) Circa 1937	Neck shape	1937 Barrel and Heel
Bracing position	forward shifted	Neck finish	vintage lacquer
Top bracing thickness	solid Adirondack spruce 7.94 mm	Neck/body joint	glued, dovetail assembly
Binding	ivoroid	Scale length	25.4" / 645 mm
Top binding	bold herringbone	Number of frets	20
Rosette	style 28	Headstock fingerboard width	44.4 mm / 1.75"
Pickguard	Delmar tortoise	Fingerboard width at 12th fret	57.1 mm / 2.25"
Back binding	black/white Boltaron	Inlays	diamonds and squares style
Back binding inlay	28 style zig-zag (Authentic)	Fingerboard markers	diamonds and squares
Sides joint	ivoroid, 1937 shape	Heel cap	ivoroid