Builder Jim Merrill has spent his life chasing the tone and quality of vintage Martin guitars.
2001 to 2005 was was when the best Merrill guitars were produced.
If you are looking for the tone of a Vintage prewar Martin D28, look no further than right here right now. It is simply astonishing how close Merrill got to an original pre war Martin D28. Jim is nothing short of a genius guitar luthier. His guitars are legendary. This is a pristine example that has barely been played and it already blows away any other pre war Martin D28 inspired examples by other great luthiers. It’s as if Jim is a true wizard who channeled the work of the Martin artisans of old.
I’ve had boutique Brazilian Rosewood examples constructed by highly regarded and well known luthier, costing well over $10,000, and they all fall short of this guitar I kid you not . I’m just slightly enthusiastic about this one

Merrill C-28 with Adirondack Spruce top and Honduran Rosewood back and sides. Serial number 190 and is in excellent condition.

Adirondack spruce top and braces, vintage appointments, 1 3/4" nut width, 2 5/16" pin hole spacing.

Merrill & Co. specializes in the highest quality, hand-made, vintage replica guitars. If you want a Pre-War Martin without paying the ridiculous price, Merrill is the guitar for you.

- Select Adirondack (red) spruce top and braces (hand scalloped to 1930's specifications, with high X-brace)

- Old growth Honduran rosewood sides and back

- Honduran mahogany neck

- 1-3/4" nut width

- 25.4" scale

- Brazilian rosewood peghead overlay

- Ebony fretboard with pearl diamond and squares inlays

- Ebony belly bridge

- Vintage style bridge and end pins

- Natural finish

- Vintage style Waverly tuners

- Tortoise plastic pickguard

- Herringbone and Ivoroid top trim

- Adjustable truss rod

- Antique Ivory nut and saddle

- Original custom-fit Hardshell case


This Merrill Dreadnought is perhaps the most perfect dreadnought i have ever played including the pre war Martin it is based on. The top of the guitar is AAA Adirondack spruce which is braced with Adirondack. The hide glue construction throughout. The tone is nothing short of miraculous, the quarter sawn Honduran rosewood back and sides are more stable more beautiful than 90% used on the original martins. the nut width is 1.75 inches. The guitar is in excellent condition along with the the original high quality hard shell case

This ad will automatically expire 8/3/2026 5:18:23 PM unless updated before that date. To keep the system current, ads expire if not updated for more than 60 days.