SOLD. Evaluating a Holy Grail: 1934 Martin D-28

[@michaelmullen8373]

What an absolute honor to see and hear this amazing piece of history! THANK YOU!

[@zensational.]

Gotta love how much authority those older Martin's have when projecting beautiful frequencies. Incredible. I'm currently taking apart 100-150yr old pianos to make 000's, Dreadnoughts, and 0 parlors. I couldn't afford a vintage martin, but I can do my best to make one!!

[@ryanj6862]

Are you able to get big enough pieces of mahogany from a piano?

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

Wow that sounds like a heck of an idea and a heck of a project. I hope it goes well for you!

[@zensational.]

@ryanj6862 just now seeing this. With really old upright ones of mid to higher quality - definitely!! I'd say once you start getting into (and after) the great depression era, the build becomes more ply layers than solid with some veneer. Still usable pieces, but tremendous amounts of work to reveal and process. Same with baby grands, less usable pieces. Yet, with today's lumber prices - I can't deny Old Growth timber that has been curing for 100+ yrs, *and* already "*knows*" music.

[@zensational.]

@demolitionwilliams7419 thank you! It's been quite a daunting task tearing them apart.. organizing, and planning - but its going well! I am hoping to start cutting and carving within the next month. I have a lot of nice pieces to process. I caught a serious flu that took me down for a month.. but I'm back at it! " Pretty, Old. "

[@davidledford3522]

I've had the same idea 😂

[@jefftrask8651]

This was fun to watch Bryan! I got a kick out of you grinning from ear to ear.😂 what a treasure

[@irishplucker]

When you get THAT sound you are after and have in your head it just inspires to play so much better and push yourself.I can see how happy you are here Bryan and I have found this in a few guitars Iin my lifetime.That 34 Martin is a joy to behold and you did it justice.Superb and thanks for sharing it with us.

[@soups41]

I’m not often floored by internet videos of vintage guitars but I have to say that’s one of the best sounding guitars I’ve ever heard. And with that massive popsicle brace to boot!

[@SkyDawg91]

The sound that sits in this guitar just waiting to come out is just unreal. You are a joy to listen to play as well, Mr. Kimsey! What a sound. These instruments are just as important as any Stradivarius.

[@MaestroZ]

What a stunning sound. A beast of a guitar. A choir of angels indeed.

[@martinkoskella3943]

Bryan, your talented playing of this magnificent guitar really brightened my day, thanks so much.

[@ericecklund676]

Bryan, that's just an incredible 1934 Martin. A piece of history!

[@JeffandLeslie]

Thanks for sharing info and playing this beautiful old guitar. What a treasure.

[@mickymillersson4376]

That 34 d28 is from another planet. The d45 ain't got a prayer. Wow!

[@joshrepp5876]

Beautiful guitar man. Thanks for sharing.

[@allenhughes12]

Deep and rich but 100% clarity. That is what we dream of.

[@BlueBanjoGrass]

I like them both!! Different in tone but both are great!!

[@tomdavy5331]

A gorgeous sound! Thank you!

[@CNFir-fs6zs]

That 34 is outsranding. The resonance would go on forever if he didn't stop it. Wow. Thanks

[@stever3206]

Watched 3 times…better each time. No adjectives or expletives can sufficiently capture that sound.

[@attechoutdoors5893]

Man I love the sound deep Rich sound with the bark and backbone…

[@davidlawspoonful]

It’s so cool to see a guitar so loved and well played.

[@davidharman4078]

The treble overtones resulting from the stiffening of the Adirondack spruce top over time perfectly balance the thumping bass.

[@SillyMoustache]

According to the Martin Guitars a technical reference (Johnston & Boak) there were an estimated 52, however I'd rather have one of the estimated 21 12 fretters made.

[@Bryankimsey]

Not me.... I don't like those bulky cumbersome things. You're welcome to them all!!! If I had one, I'd sell it and buy this guitar. 😁

[@SillyMoustache]

@@BryankimseyFair enough Bryan, but I'm an old school guy and all my flat tops, including three dreads are 12 fretters. Thanks for your response.

[@1980bwc]

Man, this D-28 makes it 90 years without a single crack in the top. I bought my D-28 new in 2011, and within 3 years, I left the case in the floor, forgot about it, got up, tripped over it, like the moron that i am, and my hand landed dead center of the case. Put about an 8" crack down the upper part of the soundboard. I think i may have made up a few cusswords when i opened the case and saw it. 😭 I thought about having a new top put on it, but its by far the best sounding Martin Ive ever played, and the top has aged into the most beautiful dark color ive ever seen. So i carried it to Chris Bozung right outside of Nashville, left it with him for a couple months. He sealed up that big crack, and 2 or 3 more tiny cracks that i didnt see. You can still see the crack pretty noticeably, but I aint gettin rid of that top. Ive never seen a guitar, thats only 14 years old, with so much mojo. It had the craziest loud, clear, vintage sound, the day i bought it. All Martins sound great, but this one sounds better than great. Its a 2010 but it hung on the wall at Guitar Center in Memphis, until i bought it in November of 2011. It still amazes me how it hung there that long without being sold, when it sounded like it did. Was meant for me to have it i guess. I just dont think it was meant for me to fall on it though. 😂 Ive got a buddy, who right before i bought mine, he ordered a new guitar from Martin Custom Shop. Its a CS-21-11, with an adirondack top, and Madagascar RW back and sides. I went over to see his the day after i got mine. We played them both, and we both gravitated to the sound and playabilty of my Standard D-28 over his. I think he paid about 3 times more for his than i did mine, and mine still played and sounded better. Although I do know it takes a long time for the red spruce tops to open up. When they do, they sound crazy good. I think that the fact I paid $2500 out the door for mine, and he paid nearly $8000 for his, made him sick. 🤣

[@Bryankimsey]

I brought my pristine '73 D-28 home in '79 and promptly kicked the top with the corner of my hiking boots and put a 4" crack in the lower bout.

[@trebleclef169]

Very full sounding! Every good vintage Martin I've heard has had lots of sustain, without the districting loud overtones of newer guitars. The depth, warmth, and clarity of this D-28 is amazing!

[@Bryankimsey]

It may be the best D I have ever played.

[@guiart4728]

Lordy! What a beautiful guitar. Anything that puts a D-45 Authentic in the shade by a mile is remarkable! That straight grained Brazilian… YIKES!!! The sound speaks for itself. You didn’t say anything about its history regarding neck re-sets. If it hasn’t had one wit action like this then color me shocked!!! Thanks for sharing this with us!!!

[@Bryankimsey]

I don't know how many neck resets, but I'm sure it's had one, maybe two, at some point. All that matters right now is that the action is excellent with decent saddle height. I didn't see anything funky and, having done over 500 neck resets myself, that should mean something.

[@guiart4728]

@@Bryankimsey No top cracks is impressive. I have a 1948 0-18 that has a clean no crack top. Rings like a bell!

[@brabazabba]

That 'BC Rich' shape outline reminds me of the bridge on an old Framus Gaucho. How must that have looked!

[@Bryankimsey]

We're wondering if it was a Grammer influenced bridge.

[@Zappafrank55]

The Authentic sounds like its muted, or coming through a smaller speaker. No wonder the Holy Grail Martins are so sought after. It aint authentic until its really authentic.

[@raedwulfone]

more clarity? Separation of sound in that 34 & crispy .....and that authentic sounds great.

[@Dan_Frechette_Songwriter]

Best sounding guitar I've ever heard.

[@derekcathey6991]

That's a herringbone right there! Wow

[@LucasHaneman]

Wow, the sound of that 34…. Man oh man!

[@TT-wz6xy]

Wow what a guitar , you can really hear the quality when compared to the 45, it’s just powerful and clearer , it makes the 45 sound muffled in comparison & that’s with old rusty strings …. Amazing, that’s why these old aged guitars cost so much , 90 years is what your paying for

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

Definitely. "That sound" is a combination of being well built and the aging process. Can't get it without either I'd imagine

[@pmscalisi]

Listening on an I phone and that guitar has a great sound! Going to have to find some headphones and listen.

[@scottblah2147]

I love watching you do these vids. Make me laugh some. Good job. Edit: Nice playing too.

[@mccypr]

A great Guitar!! Thanks much for sharing this!! 🎻🙂😎

[@kinnjohn]

That's the sound!

[@johnsmack276]

Mr. Martin you made some mighty fine guitars

[@honkyz3153]

Also looks like another bridge plate (or 2 scraps of wood) behind the original one, between it and the tone bar brace?

[@tomwilson4293]

Looks that way to me also.

[@Bryankimsey]

That's some sort of old repair that I didn't get a good look at but it looks 10x worse on the GoPro. I'm going to look at it again in a few weeks and will get a better idea of what that is. I only had 2 hours total to look at the guitar, tell stories, record and edit the video, and get it uploaded and then I had to get on the road for 6 hours.

[@thepokerpilotapp]

How about that!? What’s better than this channel. What a score!

[@Bryankimsey]

An old Grail and a modern one together!

[@redlinemando]

@@Bryankimsey That's close to what you'll have, if I can make the trip with Mike. 😉

[@Reallyhurtz]

Such a lifelike statue behind you (mannus on phonius)…another great video! Seriously watch the first few minutes..he doesn’t move!)

[@Bryankimsey]

I have that effect on people. Comes from decades of animal training... Sit!!! Stay!!! ;)

[@luvbgrass]

What a guitar. That thing is a monster!.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

Testament to the quality of the build and materials. On both guitars!

[@greekflatpicker]

Thanks for sharing Bryan

[@Bryankimsey]

You know me... I'll do anything for the team!! 😁

[@thedoc1210]

your right hand reminds me of the Bodhran. nice sounding guitar

[@firecrackerheart]

that's the shawn/stay gold in santa fe, D-28, no? 75K?

[@Bryankimsey]

Yup. Owner is a previous customer and I offered to do an evaluation and video on it. Plus, I wanted to play it!!

[@firecrackerheart]

o my gawd, man-it sounds killer! good on ya, bryan .. .@@Bryankimsey

[@billlamb1745]

Hello Bryan. Amazing guitar! I'm having a 34 recreation made and I'm learning much about them. In early 34 they had an ebony rod and bar frets but later in that year, Martin switched to a T bar and T frets. I think i also learned that shadetops also transitioned to the dark pattern as that of the 35. I'm torn between an all wood neck or T bar. Which would you prefer?

[@Bryankimsey]

T bar by a mile. If you do wood, I would reinforce with carbon fiber at least.

[@Yorkie285]

You sure know your stuff. Great sound.

[@Bryankimsey]

I was focused more on the mechanical aspects of the guitar and less about the originality. Once we got to the bridge, the originality is blown, so I'm focusing on the sound and playability.

[@Ragnar-Viking]

Incredible video. That 34 is a cannon

[@billdedrick1914]

As always, the true tell tale tone/sound from a good pre war Martin 28 or 18 is the string to string clarity and articulation.. The D45 sounded dull in comparison. Are the old strings on the 34' EJ16 with the colored ball ends?

[@Bryankimsey]

I don't remember. I had two hours total with the guitar and I had to hit the road. I think I remember colored ball ends.

[@stever3206]

Ok - can we quantify objectively; How much of it is the pure age factor and how much is the build/construction of that time? Magic of proper aging vs magic of the techniques and materials of those build days. Love to hear thoughts….. Additionally: (just for fun) how might we expect a comparably built contemporary Collings, Bourgeois, Santa Cruz - or even a modern-day Martin - to sound in 90 years? Better? Similar? Not quite as magical?

[@Bryankimsey]

Authentics are built pretty much as close to the originals as we can do. I compared a monster D-45 Authentic to the '34 in the video and almost everyone preferred the '34 which doesn't surprise me as it might be the best guitar I've ever played. Age is huge, IMHO. But... I've played maybe 30 prewar D's and few sounded as good as THIS ONE. Most were too boomy for my taste and lacked the crisp clear top end of this one. All the modern guitars are gonna sound okay in 90 years but, again, THIS ONE is really good. All of the builders you've mentioned have their quirks and little things that may prevent them from reaching their full potential. They all sound good and will probably sound good, but I bet THIS ONE has sounded this good for the past 50 years or so. I wouldn't expect a 1960's guitar- like the two I just reviewed- to sound significantly better in another 30-40 years. That's my speculation.

[@samrdean]

The 34 is a cannon. The D45 can't compare when it comes to complex overtones, it needs to open up but that comes with time.

[@646oleg]

Nice sounding instrument and great hedge against inflation . I would buy a couple of these for the original 1934 price

[@Bryankimsey]

Making 1934 wages too. You could buy the D45S at current price and current wages as a hedge against an unknown future. Looks like another Great Depression forming like a dust storm on the horizon. You'll hopefully survive WWW III. 😉

[@646oleg]

@@Bryankimsey it can be used as firewood. people used more expensive items in the times of trouble, just to survive for one more day.

[@jixxxxer17]

must be worth a lot with that private security guard sitting there watching lol, great video thanks for sharing with us all

[@Bryankimsey]

That's my bodyguard. He keeps the flocks of adoring fans and groupies at bay. Otherwise I'd be signing autographs and posing for pictures 26 h a day and never get any videos done. 😉

[@jixxxxer17]

hahah Nice :) @@Bryankimsey

[@martinburke-x4i]

wow that 34 sounds great! whats all that chewed up wood behind the bridge plate, just wondering?

[@Bryankimsey]

Dunno.... I'm going to take a closer look when I see it again.

[@jefferyclark351]

I would just to have the old strings off the 1934 d-28 and put them on my hd-28 2022 model. Maybe it might catch that sound

[@Bryankimsey]

We can work out a deal! 😄

[@usaffidelity]

Where is it for sale

[@Bryankimsey]

Email me. My name at Gmail. See the end of the previous D45 video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqTOp2WcbL1_d6M

[@dcallan1]

Fantastic! I wonder if I'm the only one that prefers the 1936 copy?

[@Bryankimsey]

I'd give the D45 about 20 years and check back in. :) it certainly has potential.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Great playing! I think the banjo picking is helping out your guitar work. :)

[@Bryankimsey]

Are you suggesting, sir, that I actually continue to...play.. the...banjo?!?! ;)

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

@@Bryankimsey Absolutely! if it gives you joy, go for it! I'd love to hear some finger picking on guitar, as well. :)

[@markv.5962]

Wow. The d28. Is so nice. It booms. i love all the scars.you seem more comfortable on it. Inspiration. I wonder what its worth?

[@Bryankimsey]

I felt pretty comfortable playing it. WORKING on it... I dunno... I'd sweat bullets. Owner's looking for $75,000. Check out the '38 that Carter Vintage has... $175,000. Dunno if they'll get that but that's their asking price.

[@markv.5962]

thats nuts!!! my 72 d18 will have to suffice for me. its pretty nice and does not have a misplaced bridge. i paid $325 for it new. got the blue steal me case for $50.00@@Bryankimsey

[@Bryankimsey]

Don't get started on F5 mandolins. :) I've played 9 Loars. Yikes.

[@guitarjeff55]

My guess is they use rosewood on the bracing instead of maple or a hardwood which was something that they were doing transitional in that year?

[@Bryankimsey]

Braces are always spruce.... Sitka spruce, in this case. You must be thinking of something else? A 1934 D-28 is the first year of the 14 fret D-28. There's nothing transitional about it... this is Ground Zero, basically. kzbin.info/www/bejne/in2kloyoj6-Djas

[@robertnewell5057]

Extraordinary! But even more extraordinary his how well the D45 stands up. That is an amazing guitar in its own right, and it won't break the bank (as these things go!).

[@Bryankimsey]

You see my point in comparing them!

[@d35s2]

I was not really impressed by the sound and character of the D45 (I always thought that a D45S was a 12-frettter). That old scratched D28 sounds amazing and so much more alive than the new family member! It is singing and echoing, while the D45 sounds like nothing special... Interesting video, very well done and nice Bluegrassy pickin´too! Thanks!

[@Bryankimsey]

"S" stands for "Special". That would include 12-fretters, slotted headstocks, and, in this case, a bigger body. Pretty much everyone loved the '36 D-45s until I compared it with the actual prewar which, hey, fair enough!! The prewar is gonna cost 3x the D-45s, and the D45s is gonna cost 6x what the D-28 '41A runs and the '41A one costs 2x what a modified 70's will cost. The D-45 is the only thing I thought MIGHT give the prewar a little challenge... looks like it didn't! :) See this video and the comments: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGbcq3inp8iiqJI And: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqTOp2WcbL1_d6M

[@ecman1986]

Fantastic sounding 34' You're correct that the tuners are period correct. 34 tuners did not have the slot for adjustments. I would do what you are suggesting. Plug the bridge, lengthen the saddle, one way or another get rid of the 2nd bridge plate an d put another pick guard over the original. I noticed that both corners of the head stock are more rounded than a 34' also there doesn't appear to have been a martin stamp on the back of the head stock. Just saying. :) Contact me if you care to see pictures of another 34' :) Great video. thanks..

[@Bryankimsey]

Agree on the neck ... I'm going to research that further. It definitely is old but I wonder if it was replaced in the 40s or 50s? Feel free to send pictures to [e-mail]

[@royasandoval]

Pretty special!

[@jefferyclark351]

When does the bidding start. Already found a buyer for my Yamaha fg -800. That should cover about 10% of the tax of what it sales for. I’am going to see if the old lady will let me sale the farm

[@Bryankimsey]

I already offered to trade my building for it. :)

[@clayjones8890]

Bryan is it still at the same company? Have a friend interested in it.

[@Bryankimsey]

It's in the owner's hands. Have them PM me on messenger or email me. My name at Gmail. See the very end of the D45S video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqTOp2WcbL1_d6M

[@clayjones8890]

@@Bryankimsey thank you so much! I know the guitar company has it still for sale on the internet.

[@AcousticRose507]

Amazing !

[@Bryankimsey]

I'm trying to figure out which kidney I can sell.

[@guestguide2544]

Its ring sounds light and resonant light strings are a perfect match.

[@hoosierbud]

Nice to see it. Surprised with the bridge history. Some kinda funky Gibson bridge on there, probably back in the 50's or 60's. He didn't even slot the pin holes on this one. Probably oversized to deal with the monster that came off. Why would they put that particular bridge on there? Needs a thru slot and proper spacing just outa respect if nothing else. Action looks higher than a kite up the neck. Looks like the top is a bit sunken in front of the bridge, is it? I'd think the value should be about 40-50% of a "good" condition 34', but there ain't many out there for sure. Thanks for posting. I'm on the hunt for a 37' D-28 to match my 37' D-18. Passed on a great sounding 38' due to bridge issues. Good luck to the seller.

[@Bryankimsey]

Action is 3/32" up the neck. You're looking at fisheye from the GoPro lens...it's not any more distorted than the other two dozen prewar D28s I've played. As for the bridge, people don't know and sometimes don't care, especially in the 60s and 70s. There's nothing I see here that couldn't be fixed, IMHEO. Good luck on your hunt.

[@brabazabba]

You could drown in that sound 😮

[@honkyz3153]

Tuners are 1950s-1960s Grover Sta-tite, the early ones don't have seamed buttons..

[@Bryankimsey]

At least they're not Rotomatics.

[@michaelmcinnis911]

How many of us will be that valuable and precious at 90 years old?!

[@Bryankimsey]

I'm getting close. ,🤣

[@michaelmcinnis911]

@@Bryankimsey LOL! I'm probably closer - just turned 66 and closing in on "retirement" later this year...

[@6991enoemos]

that sounds amazing

[@robmiller3464]

Bryan, I honestly think the 28 sounded clearer and better note separation. Of course the 45 is a great guitar. Wow thank you

[@Bryankimsey]

Agree. But I would expect a 90 year old guitar to sound a little better than a 10 year old, though. Yeah?

[@robmiller3464]

@@Bryankimsey very true Bryan, I concur.

[@ryanj6862]

sounds good even with those extra chunks glued behind the brdige

[@Bryankimsey]

That's some sort of old repair that I didn't get a good look at but it looks 10x worse on the GoPro. I'm going to look at it again in a few weeks. I've seen much worse, believe me.

[@markjamesmeli2520]

Was it Bob Shane's?

[@Bryankimsey]

No.

[@georgescannelli3814]

What a great piece! Imagine new strings!

[@Bryankimsey]

That's in the second video. ;)

[@bandicoot5412]

Whom evers that played that axe put their whole selves into it, and it made it.

[@mayniac5.09]

Thanks for sharing this… #ownershipgoals

[@thepokerpilotapp]

Old strings but it still sounds like it sounds, lol. Now you’re sounding like Yogi Berra…. When you get to the fork in the road- take it.

[@rodnocker505]

Is this Joe Walsh’s cousin or what

[@Guitarwizzard1833]

And for the record the 1934 D-28 crushes the Authentic. No comparison.

[@Bryankimsey]

I don't think a new guitar of any kind could stand up to a real 1934.

[@redlinemando]

@@Bryankimsey Yes, Yes, Yes & MORE Yes!!!!!!! Martin & all these companies can bake their guitars with motor oil & then, smoke them with a honey glazed ham, if they want to, but they're still NEVER going to duplicate that REAL, TIME AGED, LOVED & PLAYED SOUND!!!!!!! That's not to throw any shade on the D-45. That 45 has all the right potential to be a real beast once it ages in!!!!!!!

[@bunkerman99]

Authentic is good but the '34 is better but when the authentic has 80 years on it, who knows?

[@Bryankimsey]

Stick around and see?

[@bunkerman99]

Love too and Cheers see you then...I will only be 147.@@Bryankimsey

[@J316-y4c]

😍😍😍😍😍!

[@frankcoffey]

Times are tough when those are your choices, hope things get better someday and you can afford a new guitar 😂

[@Bryankimsey]

I'm saving up for a First Act guitar!

[@frankcoffey]

@@Bryankimsey May as well go for an Esteban, maybe get some lessons with it….😂 bet you could get half off if ya trade in that D45.

[@Guitarwizzard1833]

Those are not the original tuners. The original tuners would have been clipped plates.

[@Bryankimsey]

At least they're not Rotomatics

[@UAL320]

Devil’s advocate view…..think about what the -45A costs and think about what the -28 will be selling for. One ain’t cheap, but the other will be in the stratosphere. The Authentic is relatively GREAT bang for the buck.

[@Bryankimsey]

That's a totally valid point!!! Consider that the 45 is less than 10 years old too.

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

Sounds real good👍 About 25 years ago a good old friend that passed acquired a 1935’ Bone all original very clean . It was a nice old Martin, but He had about 10 Vintage Martin Dreads. His near mint 1965’ D-28 was actually hands down the better sounding. In Comparison,My Brazilian D-28 style copy I crafted in 1990’ sounded as good back 15 years ago. Now 15 years later no doubt My Guitar would surpass that 1935 holy grail. Friend passed 9 years ago. Wife sold His collection off.

[@Ukedc259]

🤩

[@Greatdaim]

34 d28 wins for sure.

[@brucecall1595]

34 may be actual tortoise shell

[@Bryankimsey]

Nope. Celluloid. Martin never used TS on D's. Early mandolins did, though. umgf.com/tortoise-shell-pickguards-on-vintage-martins-t56608.html

[@jasoneugenides5770]

A bit too much relief in that neck

[@Bryankimsey]

How'd you come up with that? I didn't even mention relief here. I did in the other video, I think. Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/in2kloyoj6-Djassi=7iskb4Jus28SDPEp&t=936

[@clayjones8890]

Ive tried to email ya. Cant find a Facebook for ya. If you can let me know how to contact you please. Thank you!

[@Bryankimsey]

it's at the end of this video. make sure you spel it wright. :) bryankimsey at the google mail thingy. Or google my name... website... "Contact". I'm on FB, too.

[@clayjones8890]

@@Bryankimsey thank you so much!! I sent ya an email! Let me know if ya got it.