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 martinmike |
1974 D-28S 12 fret |
Lead | |
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(07/01/09 2:54 PM) |
I have an opportunity to purchase a 1974 D-28S Slothead. Does anyone know the story on this model? The guitar is in ok condition. Needs to have the pickguard
replaced. Possible neck reset. It has a beautiful to tone.
Thanks Mike |
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 kydave |
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(07/01/09 3:03 PM) |
A buddy of mine has a mid-seventies D-28S that, combined with his heavy & fast fingers, RULES most of the jams he's in. No two ways about it, that
configuration works soundwise. If you don't mind the shape, wide neck and lack of a couple frets up high - they are a cannon!
Kentucky Dave's Martins: 00-28H (2006 Custom); SP000-16R (1999 Special Edition);
Last Edited By: kydave
07/01/09 3:18 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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MPkrNth |
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(07/01/09 4:11 PM) |
Model reintroduced by Martin in '67/'68 after over 15 years of just a few each year via special orders. If you like big dread sound combined with the
wide neck 1 7/8" nut width, it's a great choice. I have one from '67 after spending over 2 years on a hunt. It has amazing balance across the
strings as well as big sound. These are great guitars IMHO.
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Fstpicker |
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(07/01/09 9:57 PM) |
I believe Tony has one of those, doesn't he? It may be a rare solid headstock version though.
Jeff |
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MikeHalloran |
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(07/01/09 11:32 PM) |
I have a mid '70s D-35-S. Love it.
The wide necked, 12 fret dreds were re-introduced by Martin in the mid-60s after Peter Yarrow started playing one with Peter, Paul and Mary. CFM III liked the big guns so, even though they were never big sellers, they stayed in the line-up. Issues? The normal ones: Fix the pickguard crack, replace the curling pickguard, re-set the neck, replace the Grover Slim-Lines with open backed tuners, worn plastic nut with bone, bone saddle if needed and you are all set. Guitar doesn't have (all) these issues? Even better!
Mike Halloran
'49 00-28G, '03 000C-16SGTNE, '03 000-15S, Backpacker Mandolin, '60s Style 0 uke, '67 D12-35, '75 D-35S, Cowboy X, Cowboy II (I think that's all the Martins) Many Guilds, Gibsons and Goyas |
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jscio |
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(07/02/09 7:50 AM) |
The 12 fret dreads from the 60's and 70's that I have played have all been wonderful. I recommend them highly.
The first Martin dread that I ever bought - and still have - was a D35-S. I saw my first one at the Denton, Cottier and Daniels music store when they were on Court Street in downtown Buffalo. All of the other dreads that I played there paled in comparison. I liked the wider 1 7/8" neck so for me it was a no brainer. I've had that 12 fret for the better part of 39 years and it's never disappointed me. As Mike mentioned, I've replaced the crappy Grovers with Waverlys, had the pickguard crack repaired, replaced the curling guard, reset the neck and had a mispositioned bridge replaced. (I'd definitely check to see if the one you're interested in has the bridge positioned properly.) The great thing about 12 fret dreads is versatility. They respond to a light touch and then roar when you dig in. The folks that have played mine over the last four decades, almost to a person, have a preconceived feeling that they couldn't handle a wide neck. ..............then they play the guitar. So much for preconceived notions. If you're after the biggest gun in the arsenal from a sound, volume, playability and versatility standpoint. The 12 fret dread is it. |
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bb29slider |
Only Guitar I regretted selling | ||
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(07/02/09 8:44 AM) |
Back in 1990, I fell on financial hard times for a while so things had to go. I had both a early 70's D18S and an early 70's D28S. Neither had had
any issues and both played and sounded wonderful. The D28S was the only guitar I've ever let go of that I regreted doing so. They were a tiny bit
different from the similar VS models of today in that, as I recall, the fret boards were flat and not the semi rounded of the VS models made today and they had
postion dots not the diamond/squares of today. I regretted it so much that my first new Martin purchase this year was a HD-28VS that I got a bargain price
on. It actually surprised me in that it had more tone and punch than the older ones. The new one is a beauty and makes my memory of the older ones fade a
bit as it is a daily favorite to play.
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martinmike |
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(07/02/09 10:01 AM) |
Well as Mike so aptly pointed out...issues that are known, curling pickguard, neck reset, possible tuner replacement, they are grungy and I don't know if they work. I am not sure about bridge placement. Top and back are in good shape. There is a nice chunk "knick" on the top of the slothead. In spit of all this and old strings it has a beautiful tone. There is a sticker on the inside that shows in 1975 he had a luthier in PA place snowflack pearl inlays on the fretboard. Any thoughts on values? Thanks as always for the thoughtful comments. Mike |
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3fangers |
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(07/02/09 10:23 AM) |
Those are great guitars. I have a '71 D-28S. Absolutely love it.
"If everyone in the world could get together and agree on just one thing, there would be a big fight over who thought up the idea".
"It seems to me, if we all spent a lot less time trying to figure out what's wrong with the world and more time trying to figure our what's right with the world- -we'd probably have a lot more free time on our hands". |
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tonguy |
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(07/02/09 11:24 AM) |
Fstpicker, you're right - one of my D-35S's has a solid headstock - the 1971 to the far right...
Tony
(Forum intro - page 11) Say hello to my little friend...  Mr. Slots Street Name - J-Bang (Just Buy A 'Nuther Guitar) My cure for GAS - my wife asking, "Which one(s) are you selling to get that?" |
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Madisonian |
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(07/02/09 6:26 PM) |
My 74 D-28S was my only guitar for 32 years, and it is a treasure. It is the finest sounding guitar I own, and holds it's own with anything I've ever
played - allowing that it has the expected character of a rosewood 12 fret Dread. These come as close to what I'd describe as a lap piano as any model
I've heard.
There were issues with Martin in those years, but these particular guitars really shine now, IMO. You just have to be aware of what work may be needed in order to fairly price them. I posted my reasons for not selling mine some time ago: http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/reply/359927#reply-359927
Evan
1974 D-28S, 1999 Larrivee L-02, 2005 000-28VS, 2005 Larrivee 000-50, 2006 0MC Fingerstyle 1, 2005 000C-16SRNE, 2006 000-18GE, 2003 OM-18GE, 2008 M-38 Custom, 2008 175th LXM |
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