Unusual / Rare NGD: Martin 1981 7-28

[NateD81]

I went into my local mom & pop guitar shop last weekend looking for a cheap couch/bed acoustic. I was shooting for 00 size or maybe parlor size. I played a Guild M-20 and thought it was fine, but just wasn't getting me excited. I have a '76 HD28 and a 000-18 and love them both immensely. The shop owner said he had something interesting I might like and brought out a Martin 7-28. I didn't even know that body size existed. It's essentially a D-28 if it was hit by a shrinking ray. 23" scale length, slightly deeper than my 000-18, but quite a bit smaller. Apparently, it's one of about 200 that were ever originally made, though it sounds like you can get one made at the custom shop.

Anyway, it's plays great and sounds amazing for a little guitar. It doesn't have the thump that my HD28 has, naturally, but for how small it is, it sounds fairly big. About the same volume as my 000-18, just not as deep sounding due to its size. The action is great. It's a very skinny neck, which isn't typically my thing as I'm a finger-picker, but I don't find it overly difficult. I wouldn't make it my main acoustic, but great for what it does. As you can see, it's got quite a bit of wear. The top started to separate but was fixed, as was the small crack between the bridge and the pickguard. Lots of mojo here, should be a fun little guitar for relaxing on the couch and travel. Here she is:

 

[NateD81]

For comparison: My HD28 vs. 7-28

 

[985plowboy]

Dude, That is deeply cool!
I wasn’t aware such existed.
Tuned E-e?
What gauge strings are you using, heavier than your norm?
And if I may ask, what is the ballpark price for this model?

 

[Boreas]

Very nice! I didn't know about that size either. Or maybe I did and just forgot - happens allot nowadays. It seems somewhat similar in size to my newer Martin DJr-10 which is ~15/16ths the size of a traditional D and has a 24" scale. But it must be a little smaller - likely 7/8ths the size, hence the "7". My LXM also has a 23" scale, but seems smaller overall. Yours looks to be a perfect size for me!! Luckily, they kept the soundhole size about the same in the smaller models.

I would like to see all 4 sizes lined up side-by-side.

This is a D (Sigma) and the DJr.

 

[NateD81]

Dude, That is deeply cool!
I wasn’t aware such existed.
Tuned E-e?
What gauge strings are you using, heavier than your norm?
And if I may ask, what is the ballpark price for this model?

Thank you!
Yeah it’s tuned E-e with 11s per Martin’s recommendation and has no buzzing issues. I even got it down to open D, the bass E gets a little slinky, but totally fine. It doesn’t have an adjustable truss, so I’ve found (like my 76), going to recommended gauge seems the way to go.

In the Martin pricing guide from ‘22, they’re going for about 2400, I got mine for 2200 which was probably a slight overpay, but it’s from a local guitar shop that is run by an older man who’s always been more than generous in the past so I was good with it. Plus it was made in 81 which is when I was made, so it felt meant to be!

 

[NateD81]

Very nice! I didn't know about that size either. Or maybe I did and just forgot - happens allot nowadays. It seems somewhat similar in size to my newer Martin DJr-10 which is ~15/16ths the size of a traditional D and has a 24" scale. But it must be a little smaller - likely 7/8ths the size, hence the "7". My LXM also has a 23" scale, but seems smaller overall. Yours looks to be a perfect size for me!! Luckily, they kept the soundhole size about the same in the smaller models.

I would like to see all 4 sizes lined up side-by-side.

Thank you! You are correct, it’s a 7/8 size. They made about 120 in 80, 60 or so more in 81 I believe, then a couple in 83-84, I’m guessing custom shop orders at that point.

Online I read complaints that it sounded whimpy compared to the D-28 which, if you’re going to compare the two, I’d agree, but it should be compared to smaller guitars it’s size. It sound beautiful with the classic ‘dry’ Martin sound. Best sounding guitar that size I’ve played to be sure. Not that I’ve played them all, I surely haven’t.

 

[Martian]

For comparison: My HD28 vs. 7-28
View attachment 1092250

Very cool.

 

[Boreas]

Thank you! You are correct, it’s a 7/8 size. They made about 120 in 80, 60 or so more in 81 I believe, then a couple in 83-84, I’m guessing custom shop orders at that point.

Online I read complaints that it sounded whimpy compared to the D-28 which, if you’re going to compare the two, I’d agree, but it should be compared to smaller guitars it’s size. It sound beautiful with the classic ‘dry’ Martin sound. Best sounding guitar that size I’ve played to be sure. Not that I’ve played them all, I surely haven’t.

The DJr-10 came with Monel strings which sounded very nice. But they don't seem to last long. I will probably try Lifespan next - my typical go-to string. You may want to try a set of Monels if you have not tried them before. They give a given guitar a mellow "woodier" tone. This can be especially nice in the living room.

 

[Dukex]

Winner! I love it.

I had a Taylor Big Baby (15/16) for a few years that was an incredibly fun (and great sounding) guitar.

 

[Controller]

Thank you!
Yeah it’s tuned E-e with 11s per Martin’s recommendation and has no buzzing issues. I even got it down to open D, the bass E gets a little slinky, but totally fine. It doesn’t have an adjustable truss, so I’ve found (like my 76), going to recommended gauge seems the way to go.

In the Martin pricing guide from ‘22, they’re going for about 2400, I got mine for 2200 which was probably a slight overpay, but it’s from a local guitar shop that is run by an older man who’s always been more than generous in the past so I was good with it. Plus it was made in 81 which is when I was made, so it felt meant to be!

Congrats! Good for you paying what seemed right. If it's priced right I just pay that. Not a fan of wringing every last nickel out of a deal