Widely regarded as the pinnacle year for Martin dreadnoughts—especially the D-28—1937 represents the perfect balance of construction features that defined the pre-war "golden era." By this time, Martin had refined its forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing pattern, giving the top more freedom to vibrate and produce unmatched power, clarity, and responsiveness. The necks featured a 1-3/4" nut width paired with a more approachable rounded “barrel and heel” profile, making them more comfortable to play compared to earlier designs. Combined with Adirondack spruce tops, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, and hide-glue construction, the 1937 D-28s deliver exceptional projection, dynamic range, and tonal complexity—qualities that have made them the most coveted examples of Martin’s craft.
Built in the Martin Custom Shop, the D-28 Authentic 1937 recreates those legendary specifications in meticulous detail. With forward-shifted scalloped bracing and traditional hide-glue construction, every aspect is crafted to capture the sound and feel of a true pre-war Martin. This model uses torrefied VTS (Vintage Tone System) Adirondack Spruce for the top, paired with Guatemalan Rosewood back and sides in place of Brazilian, which nowadays isn't available for this level of production. The result is a modern dreadnought that channels the magic of the most sought-after D-28s—an instrument that delivers both thunderous projection and exquisite tonal depth, just like the originals.
This D-28 Authentic 1937 VTS was made in 2023 and features the “Aged” finish, which captures some of the vibe and charm of a pre-war relic. It is gently used, and because of the Custom Shop's aging treatment, it's hard to tell if there are any genuine signs of play and use. Most noticeable are a few bumps around the back edge of the headstock (see photos) and some marks around the soundhole. Again, hard to tell if this is all the Custom Shop's work or a mix of aging with real play wear. Regardless, frets are pristine, and the guitar plays beautifully with nice action, thanks to the non-adjustable T-Bar neck support and meticulous fretwork from the Custom Shop. It includes its original Harptone case.
For a recently built guitar, this D-28 Authentic produces a rich, nuanced voice that is everything you could ask for from a rosewood dreadnought. It is powerful and responsive, yet detailed, clear, and articulate. With its forward-shifted bracing, it explodes with a flatpick but responds just as gracefully to a lighter touch. The D-28 is considered a superlative acoustic guitar, and this one demonstrates why. The Aged finish lets you have a vibe and character of a Golden Era Martin, but with the playability and functionality provided by modern-day precision.