1971 Martin 000-28 Flattop Guitar

One really nice thing about Martin's smaller-bodied guitars is that their design didn't change a whole lot between the early '50s and the '70s. This is basically around the same weight, cut, shape, and feel as a '50s version of this guitar, though the bridge plate (almost the same size as the earlier ones) is rosewood instead of maple. Thus... being a 000-28... it sounds chocolatey-good and gorgeous, as it should!

Clearly, this one has also been played a ton and that's a good part of its appeal, too, and the reason it sounds so full. I love the rich, deep-yellow color of the top and the ruddy, vibrant-looking rosewood on the back and sides. It's even lucky-enough to have binding that isn't trying to explode all over the place -- a common frustration with Martin's multi-ply affairs.