1925 Martin 0-28 - Hawaiian 7 String

1925 Martin 0-28 custom ordered in 7 string, Hawaiian lap style. Below is a recent (June 2025) evaluation and appraisal conducted by Joe Spann via Gruhn Guitars. The paper copy of this appraisal is included in the sale of the instrument.

We certify the instrument described below is, in our opinion, a modified custom-ordered Martin style 0-28 seven-string acoustic flat-top guitar, made early in the year 1925.

Description: Serial number: 22066 – hot-branded on interior at neck block. In preparation for this appraisal Gruhn Guitars has contacted well-known Martin historian Greig Hutton for additional information and insight. His response was as follows: “This is an original seven-string style 0-28, meant for Hawaiian-style play. Two of these were ordered by Dallas Music House in January 1925, which Martin records show as serial numbers 22062 and 22066.  You previously contacted me about the other seven-string (e.g., serial number 22062) back in 2019. I have attached a digital scan of the original order for these guitars (e.g., a print of this document to be included with the appraisal documents). Upon examination, we note the following modifications and condition issues: both sets of three-on-a-strip” side mount tuners have been replaced (e.g., for strings 1-3, and 5-7: leaving visible unrepaired attachment screw holes on the peghead sides), the banjo-type Grover “two-tab” tuner for the 4^th string has been rotated approximately 90 degrees and re-attached to the peghead rear (e.g., leaving two visibly repaired attachment screw holes in the peghead rear), the original string nut has been replaced and the replacement nut has been shimmed, and the body and neck rear have been visibly refinished (e.g. but the peghead finish appears to be original). Otherwise, this guitar appears structurally to be in excellent condition. Based on the photos provided to Gruhn Guitars, the present refinish exhibits only typical light deterioration with small impact marks, and superficial surface scratches. In other respects, this instrument was made with 0-size flat-top body, Adirondack spruce top with X-bracing and natural finish, Brazilian rosewood peghead overlay, back and sides, “zipper style” wood marquetry center back strip, multi-ply light & dark wood soundhole rosette (e.g., slightly different in appearance from the standard style 28 specification), rectangular “pyramid style” ebony bridge with straight “Hawaiian style” bridge saddle (i.e., uncompensated – this saddle type will not allow the instrument to play in tune as a standard fretted Spanish-style guitar), white bridge pins with black center dots, mahogany neck with grained-ivoroid heel cap and diamond-shaped volute, slotted peghead, die-stamped “C.F. Martin & Co.” logo on peghead rear (e.g., placed at the center rear of the peghead and turned 90 degrees from the standard orientation),  20-fret ebony fingerboard (e.g., 12 frets clear of the body) with Japan-pearl “slotted diamond” pattern inlay, single-ply white edge binding on body top with “herringbone style” wood marquetry top edge trim, and triple-ply white/black/white edge binding on body rear. We were unable to make an in-hand assessment of the fret condition, bridge plate, internal bracing and kerfing, but for the purposes of this appraisal we assume them to be original components which function correctly (e.g., no diagnostically relevant photos of the interior components were provided to Gruhn Guitars, and it is not possible to accurately assess the condition of frets from photos). The owner has indicated that the instrument is currently housed in a non-original hard-shell case (e.g., no case photos were provided to Gruhn Guitars).

Current market value (in present modified condition): $10,000 (ten thousand dollars)