The 2025 Martin Custom Shop D-28 C25-01942 is an exceptional individually specified dreadnought combining premium tonewoods, Golden Era construction details and traditional Martin craftsmanship.

At its heart is an Adirondack spruce top supported by Golden Era 5/16" hand-shaped, scalloped and forward-shifted bracing, with Vintage Hide Glue construction and a traditional dovetail neck joint. The body specification is particularly unusual, pairing a Premium Guatemalan rosewood two-piece back with mahogany sides, exactly as detailed on the Martin Custom Shop specification sheet supplied with this instrument.

Further premium appointments include a black ebony fingerboard and bridge, Waverly Gold tuning machines, bone nut and compensated bone saddle, Guatemalan rosewood headplate, long Diamonds and Squares fingerboard inlays and Style 28 / Style 35 detailing.

This outstanding Pre-Owned example is in Mint condition, weighs an actual 4.76 lbs, and comes with its hardcase and all accompanying accessories.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	C. F. Martin & Co.
Model	Custom Shop D-28
Custom Shop Reference	C25-01942
Serial Number	3030351
Year	2025
Top	Adirondack Spruce
Back	Premium Guatemalan Rosewood
Sides	Mahogany
Bracing	Golden Era, Hand-Shaped, Scalloped & Forward Shifted
Construction	Vintage Hide Glue / Dovetail Neck Joint
Fingerboard	Black Ebony
Weight	4.76 lbs
Condition	Mint / Pre-Owned
Case	Hardcase Included
Accessories	All Accompanying Accessories Included

PRE-OWNED CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned Martin Custom Shop D-28 in Mint condition.

Our Mint grading means the guitar is virtually indistinguishable from new, making this an exceptional opportunity to acquire a recent premium Martin Custom Shop instrument with minimal evidence of previous ownership.

This individual guitar weighs an actual 4.76 lbs.

A hardcase is included, along with all accompanying accessories supplied with the instrument.

MARTIN CUSTOM SHOP SPECIFICATION

This guitar carries Martin Custom Shop reference:

C25-01942

Serial number:

3030351

The accompanying Martin Custom Shop specification card confirms the individual build details of this instrument, allowing the exact specification to be documented rather than relying on standard-production D-28 information.

Particularly notable is the combination of a Premium Guatemalan rosewood two-piece back with mahogany sides, together with an Adirondack spruce top and Golden Era bracing.

KEY FEATURES

• Martin Custom Shop D-28

• Custom Shop reference C25-01942

• Serial number 3030351

• 2025 production

• Handcrafted in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, USA

• Dreadnought body

• Adirondack spruce top

• Premium Guatemalan rosewood two-piece back

• Mahogany sides

• Vintage Hide Glue construction

• Mahogany blocks

• Dovetail neck joint

• Golden Era hand-shaped top bracing

• 5/16" scalloped bracing

• Forward-shifted bracing

• 3-A Dome pattern

• Antique White top binding

• Black/White/Black Boltaron top inlay

• Style 28 Boltaron rosette

• Faux Tortoise Pattern 1B pickguard

• Style 35 back purfling

• GE Modified Low Oval neck profile

• High Performance Taper

• Black ebony fingerboard

• 16" fingerboard radius

• 25.4" scale length

• 1 3/4" nut width

• Bone nut

• Long Diamonds and Squares fingerboard inlays

• Premium Guatemalan rosewood headplate

• Old Style Gold headstock decal

• Waverly Gold tuning machines

• Black ebony bridge

• GE Modern Belly bridge

• Compensated bone saddle

• Bone bridge pins with faux tortoise detail

• Gloss body

• Antique Toner gloss top

• Satin neck

• Actual measured weight of 4.76 lbs

• Mint Pre-Owned condition

• Hardcase included

• All accompanying accessories included

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

This is the kind of specification that demonstrates exactly why Martin’s Custom Shop exists.

The Adirondack spruce top and Golden Era forward-shifted scalloped bracing place responsiveness and projection at the heart of the build, while Vintage Hide Glue construction and the traditional dovetail neck joint draw heavily on Martin’s historic construction methods.

The back and side combination is particularly interesting. Rather than a conventional matching rosewood set, Martin has specified a Premium Guatemalan rosewood back with mahogany sides, creating a genuinely individual Custom Shop recipe.

Add Waverly Gold hardware, ebony appointments and the understated vintage-inspired cosmetic specification and this is a highly distinctive modern Martin.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Adirondack Spruce Top

The top is made from Adirondack spruce, one of the most highly regarded soundboard materials in premium American acoustic guitar construction.

Adirondack is prized for its combination of projection, dynamic range and headroom, making it particularly well suited to powerful dreadnought guitars.

Golden Era Hand-Shaped Bracing

Martin specifies Golden Era top bracing with hand shaping.

This takes inspiration from some of the company's most celebrated historic acoustic construction techniques.

Forward-Shifted & Scalloped

The 5/16" braces are scalloped and forward shifted, allowing the lower bout of the top to respond more freely.

This construction is typically chosen to enhance openness, bass response and dynamic projection.

Vintage Hide Glue Construction

The guitar uses Vintage Hide Glue as part of its construction.

Hide glue has a long association with traditional high-end acoustic guitar making and is particularly valued in historically influenced Martin builds.

Dovetail Neck Joint

A traditional mahogany block and dovetail neck joint connects the neck and body.

This is one of Martin's classic construction methods and remains a hallmark of its premium acoustic guitars.

Premium Guatemalan Rosewood Back

The two-piece back is made from Premium Guatemalan rosewood.

Guatemalan rosewood is highly regarded for premium acoustic construction and gives this Custom Shop build a particularly desirable specification.

Mahogany Sides

The official Custom Shop specification card identifies the sides as mahogany.

This creates an unusually individual construction combination with the Premium Guatemalan rosewood back and Adirondack spruce top.

GE Modified Low Oval Neck

The neck uses Martin's GE Modified Low Oval profile with High Performance Taper.

This combines a vintage-influenced shape with dimensions intended to remain comfortable for contemporary playing styles.

Black Ebony Fingerboard

A black ebony fingerboard gives the instrument a hard, smooth playing surface and premium traditional appearance.

16" Radius

The fingerboard uses a 16" radius, providing a relatively flat playing surface that works well for both rhythm and lead acoustic techniques.

25.4" Scale Length

The traditional 25.4" Martin scale length delivers familiar dreadnought string tension, projection and articulation.

1 3/4" Nut Width

A 1 3/4" nut width provides comfortable string spacing for flatpicking, fingerstyle and chord work.

The fingerboard measures 2 1/8" wide at the 12th fret.

Bone Nut

A genuine bone nut provides a hard and resonant contact point for the strings.

Long Diamonds & Squares Inlays

The ebony fingerboard features Martin's elegant Diamonds and Squares Long inlay pattern.

Premium Guatemalan Rosewood Headplate

The headstock face is finished with Premium Guatemalan rosewood, coordinating with the premium rosewood used for the back.

Old Style Gold Decal

An Old Style Gold Martin headstock decal reinforces the guitar's vintage-inspired aesthetic.

Waverly Gold Tuners

Premium Waverly Gold tuning machines provide precise tuning adjustment and are among the most desirable traditional-style tuners found on high-end acoustics.

Black Ebony Bridge

The bridge is made from black ebony.

GE Modern Belly Bridge

Martin specifies a Golden Era Modern Belly bridge with drop-in saddle.

This combines a traditional Martin bridge profile with convenient saddle construction.

Compensated Bone Saddle

The saddle is compensated bone with a 16" radius, supporting accurate intonation and efficient transfer of string vibration.

2 5/32" String Spacing

The bridge uses 2 5/32" string spacing, giving the picking hand useful room for flatpicking and fingerstyle work.

Bone Bridge Pins

The bridge pins are made from bone with faux tortoise detailing, complementing the vintage-style pickguard.

Antique Toner Top

The Adirondack spruce top uses a gloss Antique Toner finish, giving the guitar a warmer, gently aged visual character without artificial wear.

Satin Neck

The neck uses a satin finish with mahogany stain, providing a smoother feel beneath the hand than a heavily glossed neck.

4.76 lbs Actual Weight

This individual guitar weighs 4.76 lbs, a notably manageable figure for a full-size premium dreadnought.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Martin Custom Shop D-28 C25-01942 is particularly well suited to:

• Professional acoustic guitarists

• Flatpickers

• Bluegrass players

• Singer-songwriters

• Folk musicians

• Studio guitarists

• Martin enthusiasts

• Custom Shop collectors

• Players looking for premium Adirondack spruce construction

• Buyers seeking an individually specified American-made dreadnought

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

This Custom Shop D-28 should be particularly well suited to:

• Flatpicking

• Bluegrass

• Folk

• Country

• Singer-songwriter

• Acoustic rock

• Strong strummed accompaniment

• Fingerstyle

• Studio recording

• Solo acoustic performance

• Ensemble work

HOW IT COMPARES

Custom Shop D-28 vs Standard D-28

A normal production D-28 follows Martin's standard catalogue specification.

This Custom Shop instrument goes considerably further with Adirondack spruce, Golden Era hand-shaped forward-shifted scalloped bracing, Vintage Hide Glue, Waverly Gold tuners and an individually specified Guatemalan rosewood / mahogany body combination.

Adirondack vs Sitka Spruce

Sitka spruce is exceptionally versatile and widely used on professional acoustic guitars.

Adirondack is generally prized for greater headroom, projection and its ability to remain articulate under particularly forceful playing.

Guatemalan Rosewood vs Standard East Indian Rosewood

East Indian rosewood is the traditional modern D-28 choice.

Premium Guatemalan rosewood is a more specialised high-end option prized by many players and builders for its rich harmonic response and premium status.

Custom Shop vs Standard Production

Standard production prioritises consistency around an established recipe.

Martin's Custom Shop allows unusual combinations and historically inspired features to be brought together in an individually configured instrument such as C25-01942.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Acoustic Guitar
Brand	C. F. Martin & Co.
Series	Custom Shop
Model	D-28 Custom Shop
Custom Shop Reference	C25-01942
Serial Number	3030351
Year	2025
Country of Manufacture	USA
Factory	Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Body Size	Dreadnought
Construction	Vintage Hide Glue
Neck Joint	Mahogany Blocks / Dovetail Neck Joint
Top	Adirondack Spruce
Top Bracing	Golden Era, Hand Shaped
Brace Size	5/16"
Bracing	Scalloped / Forward Shifted
Top Pattern	3-A Dome
Top Binding	Antique White
Top Inlay	B/W/B Boltaron
Rosette	Style 28 Boltaron
Pickguard	Faux Tortoise Pattern 1B
Back	Premium Guatemalan Rosewood
Back Construction	2-Piece
Sides	Mahogany
Back Purfling	Style 35
Location Stamp	C. F. Martin & Co. Nazareth, PA, Between 1st & 2nd Brace
Endpiece	Antique White
Neck Shape	GE Modified Low Oval
Neck Taper	High Performance Taper
Headstock	Solid 6-String, No Diamond / Square Taper
Truss Rod	2-Way Adjustable
Heelcap	Antique White
Nut	Bone
Headplate	Premium Guatemalan Rosewood
Headplate Decal	Old Style Gold
Tuning Machines	Waverly Gold
Fingerboard	Black Ebony
Fingerboard Radius	16"
Scale Length	25.4"
Nut Width	1 3/4"
Width at 12th Fret	2 1/8"
Frets Clear of Body	14
Total Frets	20
Fingerboard Inlay	Diamonds and Squares Long
Side Dots	White
Side Dot Positions	3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, double 12th, 15th & 17th
Finish Type	Gloss Body / Satin Neck
Body Finish	Gloss / Rosewood Filler
Top Finish	Gloss / Antique Toner
Neck Finish	Satin / Mahogany Stain / Rosewood Filler
Bridge	Black Ebony
Bridge Style	GE Modern Belly with Drop-In Saddle
String Spacing	2 5/32"
Saddle	16" Radius Compensated Bone
Factory String Specification	Martin MA550T
Bridge Pins	Bone with Faux Tortoise
Electronics	None Specified
Weight	4.76 lbs
Case	Hardcase Included
Accessories	All Accompanying Accessories Included
Condition	Mint / Pre-Owned

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

No onboard electronic system is specified for this guitar, so it requires no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Serious acoustic players, collectors and Martin enthusiasts looking for a highly specified modern Custom Shop dreadnought built around premium traditional construction.

Customers usually upgrade from: Standard D-28s, D-18s, HD-28s and other professional production-model acoustic guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Premium acoustic microphones, high-quality capos, professional recording equipment and carefully selected acoustic strings.

Our tip: The combination of Adirondack spruce, Golden Era forward-shifted scalloped bracing and Vintage Hide Glue is the specification to pay attention to here. This is a build designed around dynamic range and acoustic response rather than cosmetic upgrades alone.

Showroom feedback: The unusual Premium Guatemalan rosewood back with mahogany sides makes this a genuinely interesting Custom Shop configuration. Add the Waverly Gold machines, ebony appointments and exceptionally clean Mint condition and it feels every inch a serious premium Martin.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a Pre-Owned Martin Custom Shop D-28 provides access to a genuinely individually specified premium Martin without commissioning a new Custom Shop instrument.

This 2025 example is in Mint condition, weighs 4.76 lbs, and comes with its hardcase and all accompanying accessories.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging premium and collectible acoustic guitars.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with premium and collectible guitars

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

• Request a Video Demo option

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current premium guitar or other musical equipment could help towards the cost of this Martin Custom Shop D-28.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges acoustic guitars, electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects and a wide range of musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you already own a premium guitar or other musical equipment you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess it for part exchange.

Trading in can remove the inconvenience and risk of selling a valuable instrument privately while allowing its value to go directly towards your next guitar.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this Martin Custom Shop D-28 used?

Yes. This is a Pre-Owned Martin Custom Shop D-28 in Mint condition.

What year was it made?

2025.

What is the Custom Shop reference?

C25-01942.

What is the serial number?

3030351.

What is the top made from?

Adirondack spruce.

What bracing does it use?

It has Golden Era hand-shaped 5/16" bracing that is scalloped and forward shifted.

Does it use hide glue?

Yes. The specification states Vintage Hide Glue construction.

What neck joint does it have?

A traditional dovetail neck joint with mahogany blocks.

What is the back made from?

The two-piece back is made from Premium Guatemalan rosewood.

What are the sides made from?

The official Custom Shop specification identifies the sides as mahogany.

Is that different from a normal D-28?

Yes. A standard D-28 normally uses matching rosewood back and sides, making this Custom Shop combination particularly unusual.

What is the fingerboard made from?

Black ebony.

What is the bridge made from?

Black ebony.

What neck profile does it have?

A GE Modified Low Oval with High Performance Taper.

What is the scale length?

25.4".

What is the nut width?

1 3/4".

What is the fingerboard radius?

16".

How many frets does it have?

20 total, with 14 frets clear of the body.

What fingerboard inlays does it have?

Martin Diamonds and Squares Long inlays.

What tuners does it have?

Premium Waverly Gold tuning machines.

What nut material does it use?

Bone.

What saddle does it have?

A 16" radius compensated bone saddle.

What bridge pins does it have?

Bone bridge pins with faux tortoise detailing.

What pickguard does it have?

A Faux Tortoise Pattern 1B pickguard.

What rosette does it have?

A Style 28 Boltaron rosette.

What finish does it have?

The body is gloss finished, the Adirondack spruce top has Antique Toner, and the neck uses a satin finish.

What condition is it in?

It is in Mint condition, meaning virtually indistinguishable from new.

How much does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 4.76 lbs.

Does it include a hardcase?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Does it include the accessories?

Yes. All accompanying accessories supplied with the instrument are included.

Does it have electronics?

No onboard electronic system is specified.

Is it suitable for flatpicking?

Yes. The Adirondack spruce top and forward-shifted Golden Era bracing make this a particularly compelling specification for dynamic flatpicking.

Is it suitable for recording?

Absolutely. The premium construction and individually specified tonewood combination make it particularly suitable for high-quality acoustic recording.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. With a Custom Shop acoustic of this calibre, a video demo is particularly useful for hearing the character of the individual instrument.

Can I part-exchange another premium guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers premium guitars and a wide range of other musical equipment for part exchange.