2005 Martin D-28 Marquis For Sale- $2550

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HI guys, i usually post over on the AGF but I visit here once in awhile and Larry's post regarding his SD50 prompted me to purchase one awhile back...(Thanks Larry!) Anyways, here is my original post at the AGF copied and pasted for your perusal!  Thanks for looking!


Hi everybody, I honestly never thought that I would be putting this wonderful guitar up for sale but recent circumstances dictate otherwise.  So, up for sale is a 2005 Martin D-28 Marquis.  This model, along with the D-18GE, are considered to be Martin's dreadnought line built to more closely resemble in tone and appearance the guitars from Martin's "Golden Era."  The D-28 Marquis is unique and separates itself from the regular D28 line in that it has an Adirondack spruce top and employs the Martin "Golden Era" forward shifted scalloped adirondack bracing unique to the GE instruments.  The D-28 Marquis also has a fossilized ivory nut and saddle as opposed to the D-28's plain bone nut and saddle.  As far as cosmetic appointments, the Marquis sports an ivoroid binding around the sides of the guitar and herringbone inlay.  It also has diamond position fret markers on the fingerboard.

 But enough about that, most guys here probably know that already hehe.  As for my own personal experience with the guitar I can only say this: bar-none, without exception, this is the loudest, best projecting, articulate dreadnought I have ever owned in my entire life.  I do not have any experience with any D28 from the 1930's but I can only guess at how much better it sounds in comparison to this particular guitar.  I've owned a Larrivee 12-fret dread (SD50) which was also a very very fine guitar in terms of its tone, projection and clarity, but this guitar is definitely in a class all it's own.  I've also played extensively an HD-28V (which is an awesome awesome guitar) but in terms of tone the Marquis and HD-28V possess a different tone despite its rosewood similarities.  Whereas the HD-28V is plenty loud and oozes warmth with every strum, this guitar possesses similar warmth but has a stronger bass response and surprisingly strong clarity that is plainly evident when flatpicked that I assume can be attributed to the difference in tops (Adirondack for the D-28 Marquis vs Sitka for the HD-28V.)  Another thing i've noticed is, for me atleast, it is impossible to overdrive this guitar if you're strumming.  The harder you strum the louder it gets with seemingly no real ceiling.   If you're after a keeper dreadnought, then I don't think you can do too much better than a Martin D-28 Marquis.  I am sure that somewhere down the road I'll probably make another attempt at owning one of these great guitars again but for now I must unfortunately let it go.

Lastly, this guitar is mostly blemish free, no cracks or finish-checking at all and save for a few light swirl marks on the back that i am sure can be buffed out is pretty much in great condition. It's been setup with low action and currently has some new Dean Markley Alchemy GoldBronze strings on it.

Ok well that's it guys, I have seen these go anywhere from $2500-2800 so I am asking a modestly priced $2550 (Firm) plus shipping and 1/2 of paypal fees if that payment route is desired.  I do check messages on here but i check my email with a little bit more regularity so please email me at markvaldellon@yahoo.com if you are interested.  Also, if for some reason you are not satisfied you have a three-day tryout period with the guitar.  But for whoever snags this guitar i'm sure it will become a long-term companion for you.  CONUS only please.

Specs: (Via Martin Website)
MODEL    D-28 Marquis
CONSTRUCTION:    Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint
BODY SIZE:    D-14 Fret
TOP:    Solid Adirondack Spruce
ROSETTE:    Style 28
TOP BRACING PATTERN:    Standard ''X'' Scalloped (Golden Era Style), Forward Shifted
TOP BRACES:    Solid Adirondack Spruce 5/16''
BACK MATERIAL:    Solid East Indian Rosewood
BACK PURFLING:    HD Zig-Zag
SIDE MATERIAL:    Solid East Indian Rosewood
ENDPIECE:    Grained Ivoroid
ENDPIECE INLAY:    Black/White Fiber
BINDING:    Grained Ivoroid
TOP INLAY STYLE:    Fine Herringbone
SIDE INLAY:    none
BACK INLAY:    Black/Maple Fiber
NECK MATERIAL:    Select Hardwood
NECK SHAPE:    Modified V
NUT MATERIAL:    Fossilized Ivory
HEADSTOCK:    Solid/Long Diamond/Square Taper
HEADPLATE:    Solid East Indian Rosewood /Golden Era Style
HEELCAP:    Grained Ivoroid
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL:    Solid Black Ebony
SCALE LENGTH:    25.4''
# OF FRETS CLEAR:    14
# OF FRETS TOTAL:    20
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT:    1-3/4''
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET:    2-1/4''
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS:    Diamonds & Squares- Long Pattern Golden Era
FINGERBOARD BINDING:    none
FINISH BACK & SIDES:    Polished Gloss
FINISH TOP:    Polished Gloss w/ Aging Toner
FINISH NECK:    Satin
BRIDGE MATERIAL:    Solid Black Ebony
BRIDGE STYLE:    1930s Style Belly w/ Long Saddle
BRIDGE STRING SPACING:    2-5/16''
SADDLE:    16'' Radius/Fossilized Ivory
TUNING MACHINES:    Nickel Open-Geared w/ Butterbean Knobs
RECOMMENDED STRINGS:    Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Medium Gauge (MSP7200)
BRIDGE & END PINS:    Fossilized Ivory w/ Black Dots
PICKGUARD:    Tortoise Color - Beveled & Polished
CASE:    545E
INTERIOR LABEL:    Paper Label
ELECTRONICS:    not available as an option

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