Here is the legendary‘Clarence White' Martin D-28. Built in 1935. This guitar was picked up by Clarence after it had been modified (not sure who did it or why) with a new, longer fingerboard and a enlarged soundhole. There is also a modification that Clarence added, a BB hole shot thru the face of the instrument. Hey - in the early 40's a 35' D-28 was no big deal!

I've heard this instrument up close. I have also played and listened to many other pre-WWII Martins, but none possess the voice or the tone this instrument was graced with. I think it was a Winchester Rifle that an old western movie was based on. No one could explain why, but there was one particular rifle that was the finest ever produced. A ‘One in a million'. Too fine to just sell, so they held a shooting contest to see who would get to keep it. This D-28 is now in the hands of the finest Flatpicker/guitar-slinger there is.

(Leica M4, 35 f/2 Summicron, Tmax-400)

All images © J. Brian Stephens . . .use only with permission

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