Originally developed decades ago as an old “conversion”, a Martin Archtop with the top replaced with an X-Braced steel string flat top, the M model of guitar is, in essence, Martin’s only jumbo model. With an extra large 16.75 inch lower bout, but a thin 3.75 inch depth, the M, or the 0000 as its now known is, to many people, the ultimate sleeper Martin shape; more resonant than a 000 but more balanced than a dreadnought.

The MC-28, with just over 1,000 built during its entire run of production in the late 80’s/early 90’s, is a bit of an odd duck design wise, with its Venetian cutaway, longer fingerboard (22 frets! hello shredders!) and, most obviously, the oval hole, required by the slight flatting of the “X” in the bracing by the cutaway, leading to a slightly more open sound than usual. Sitka spruce and Indian rosewood, as the name might suggest, pair with the design changes to make a nice and loud Martin jumbo that has great playability and a big sound.

The neck, like many 80’s Martins, is a fairly small but still chunkily proportioned C profile with just the hint of a rounded V point to it. The 1 11/16 nut gives a great playable feel.

This particular guitar is in good condition, though like many nearly 40 year old instruments, it has its foibles. As to be expected on older guitars, the finish has the perfect amount of vibey checking. The fretboard is cracked very slightly cracked on the sound hole side of the rosette, and doesn’t look to be repaired. This does not extend beyond the popsicle brace along the side of the fretboard extension. The bridge looks to be reglued well sometime in the last 5 years or so. The neck angle is getting to “reset in the next 10 years” territory, though it’s still playable and mighty comfortable at the moment. The bridge pins are non-original.

Comes with a hard case.