Martin Custom Shop 000-28K 1921 — All-Solid Hawaiian Koa Custom Shop Editions

Martin Custom Shop 000-28K 1921 — All-Solid Hawaiian Koa Custom Shop Edition

A Rare Martin Custom Shop Masterpiece

The Martin Custom Shop 000-28K 1921 is an extraordinary tribute to the beauty, craftsmanship, and tonal character of Martin’s early all-koa guitars. Available exclusively through Martin Custom Shop Expert Dealers, this remarkable limited edition is restricted to just 50 guitars worldwide.

Featuring highly figured solid Hawaiian koa for the top, back, and sides, this exceptional 000 12-fret combines breathtaking natural wood grain with vintage-inspired appointments, meticulous Custom Shop craftsmanship, and a remarkably expressive voice.

The sound is as captivating as the appearance. Hawaiian koa delivers a distinctive blend of warmth, clarity, focused midrange, and natural sweetness, with a little extra headroom that rewards a dynamic playing style. This is an heirloom-quality instrument created for the discerning guitarist who appreciates rarity, exceptional tonewoods, and the timeless elegance of a vintage Martin.

Limited to 50 instruments worldwide. Available exclusively through Martin Custom Shop Expert Dealers.

💵 Financing Available

Ask us about available financing options. We offer 0% financing on most guitars, subject to eligibility and approval.

📸 The photographs in this listing show the exact guitar you will receive.

✅ Why You’ll Love This Guitar

• Exceptionally Figured Hawaiian Koa: Solid koa throughout the top, back, and sides creates a stunning visual statement, with each instrument displaying its own distinctive grain and coloration.
• Rare Limited Edition: Only 50 examples are available worldwide, making this a particularly special opportunity for Martin collectors and serious players.
• Vintage 000 12-Fret Design: A classic body configuration inspired by Martin’s early all-koa instruments, offering a wonderfully balanced and responsive playing experience.
• Rare 1-7/8” Nut Width: One of the distinctive features of the 000-28K 1921 is its generous 1-7/8” nut width, offering additional room across the fingerboard. This wider spacing is especially appealing to fingerstyle guitarists and players who prefer a more spacious, traditional feel. Combined with the Authentic 1921 neck profile and 25.4” scale length, it gives this limited-edition Martin a playing experience that sets it apart from many modern acoustic guitars.
• Rich, Expressive Koa Tone: Warm, clear, and harmonically complex, with focused mids, beautiful note definition, and additional headroom for dynamic playing.
• Authentic Martin Construction: Traditional hide glue construction and VTS-treated Adirondack spruce bracing contribute to the instrument’s responsiveness and resonance.
• Exquisite Vintage Appointments: Fine herringbone trim, grained ivoroid binding, abalone inlays, and a slotted headstock create an unmistakably vintage Martin aesthetic.

This is much more than a beautiful limited-edition guitar. It is a remarkable expression of Martin’s Custom Shop artistry, designed to be played, treasured, and passed down for generations.

✅ Our Expert Opinion

At Tobias Music, we’ve spent decades working with exceptional Martin guitars, including rare and highly customized instruments from the Martin Custom Shop. The 000-28K 1921 stands out for its combination of extraordinary koa, historical inspiration, and carefully considered construction.

The highly figured koa is the first thing that captures your attention, but the instrument’s appeal goes well beyond its appearance. Koa has a distinctive tonal personality, blending warmth and sweetness with excellent clarity and a beautifully focused midrange. As the instrument is played dynamically, its voice can open up with a satisfying combination of richness and projection.

The 000 12-fret body, long 25.4-inch scale, and traditional construction give this guitar a distinctive feel and response. Every detail, from the pyramid ebony bridge to the vintage-inspired neck profile, contributes to an instrument that feels connected to Martin’s early building traditions while showcasing the capabilities of today’s Custom Shop.

Another noteworthy feature is the generous 1-7/8” nut width. This traditional specification is increasingly uncommon on many modern steel-string acoustic guitars, making the 000-28K 1921 particularly appealing to fingerstyle players and those who prefer additional room for precise fretting. Paired with the Authentic 1921 neck shape and long 25.4” scale, it contributes to the distinctive character of this exceptional instrument.

For the collector, the worldwide production limit of just 50 instruments adds considerable appeal. For the player, this is an opportunity to own an exceptionally crafted guitar with a voice and appearance all its own.

The Martin Custom Shop 000-28K 1921 is the kind of instrument that makes an impression the moment you see it—and continues to reward you every time you play it.

✅ The Tobias Music Wood Connection 

As a Martin Custom Shop Expert Dealer, Tobias Music has a longstanding relationship with Martin and a deep appreciation for the tonewoods that make exceptional guitars possible.

The highly figured solid Hawaiian koa featured in the 000-28K 1921 brings together striking natural beauty and the distinctive tonal qualities that make koa such a treasured guitar tonewood.

Combined with Martin’s traditional craftsmanship and carefully selected construction details, this instrument represents the level of artistry and attention to detail we look for in a truly special Martin.

✅ Tone Profile

Tonewood Combination: Solid Hawaiian koa top, back, and sides

• Warmth: Rich, sweet tonal character with a beautifully balanced voice.
• Clarity: Excellent note definition, allowing individual notes to remain distinct in complex passages.
• Midrange: Focused and articulate, with the characteristic warmth and presence of Hawaiian koa.
• Treble: Clear and sweet, providing definition without overshadowing the instrument’s natural warmth.
• Headroom: Generous dynamic range that rewards a stronger attack while retaining clarity.
• Overall Character: Balanced, expressive, and harmonically rich, with a distinctive voice that combines vintage charm with impressive versatility.

Koa’s tonal character can evolve with playing time, becoming increasingly nuanced as the instrument is played and cared for.

✅ Construction & Features

Solid Hawaiian Koa Throughout

Highly figured solid Hawaiian koa is used for the top, back, and sides. Its intricate grain patterns and natural coloration make every instrument visually unique, while its distinctive tonal properties provide a compelling combination of warmth, clarity, and focused projection.

Vintage-Inspired 000 12-Fret Body

The 000 12-fret configuration recalls the proportions and character of Martin’s early instruments. Its traditional design offers a distinctive response and a comfortable, balanced feel.

VTS-Treated Authentic Adirondack Spruce Bracing

Authentic scalloped Adirondack spruce X-bracing receives Martin’s Vintage Tone System treatment. This carefully developed process is intended to recreate aspects of the tonal character associated with aged tonewoods, complementing the responsiveness of the koa body.

Traditional Hide Glue Construction

Hide glue construction honors traditional Martin building methods and is an important detail for players who appreciate historically inspired craftsmanship.

Fine Vintage Appointments

The 000-28K 1921 features a carefully coordinated collection of vintage-inspired details:

• Thin vintage gloss finish
• Grained ivoroid binding
• Fine herringbone top inlay
• Faux tortoise pickguard beneath the finish
• Slotted headstock
• Pyramid ebony bridge
• Golden Era diamond-and-square abalone fingerboard inlays
• Authentic 1921 neck shape

• Nut Width: 1-7/8” — generous vintage-style fingerboard spacing.

 Long-Scale Performance

The 25.4-inch scale length provides a familiar, responsive playing platform, while the 1 7/8-inch nut width offers additional room across the fingerboard for expressive fretting and fingerstyle playing.

Together, these specifications create a guitar that pays tribute to Martin’s early craftsmanship while offering a distinctive experience for today’s guitarist.

✅ Specifications

Model: Martin Custom Shop 000-28K 1921
Series: Martin Custom Shop Limited Edition
Availability: Exclusive to Martin Custom Shop Expert Dealers
Worldwide Production: Limited to 50 instruments
Body Style: 000 12-Fret
Top Wood: Highly Figured Solid Hawaiian Koa
Back & Sides: Highly Figured Solid Hawaiian Koa
Bracing: Authentic Scalloped Adirondack Spruce X-Bracing
Bracing Treatment: Vintage Tone System (VTS)
Construction: Traditional Hide Glue Construction
Scale Length: 25.4 inches
Nut Width: 1 7/8 inches
Neck Profile: Authentic 1921
Bridge: Pyramid Ebony
Headstock: Slotted
Top Trim: Fine Herringbone
Binding: Grained Ivoroid
Fingerboard Inlays: Golden Era Diamond-and-Square Abalone
Pickguard: Faux Tortoise Under-Finish
Finish: Thin Vintage Gloss

Specifications are based on the model information provided. Please contact Tobias Music if you need confirmation of additional details or included accessories.

✅ Why Buy From Tobias Music?

When you purchase a special Martin from Tobias Music, you’re working with a store that understands what makes these instruments exceptional.

• 47 Years as a Martin Dealer: Decades of experience with Martin guitars, from classic production models to rare Custom Shop creations.
• Martin Custom Shop Expert Dealer: Access to exclusive instruments and Custom Shop offerings unavailable through every Martin dealer.
• Experienced Guitar Specialists: We understand the importance of tonewoods, construction, setup, and the details that distinguish a truly exceptional instrument.
• Professional Inspection and Setup: Our guitar technicians inspect and prepare instruments with the care and attention they deserve.
• Personal Service: We want you to find the right guitar, whether you’re adding to a collection or choosing an instrument to enjoy for a lifetime.

At Tobias Music, we believe a guitar of this caliber deserves more than a sales transaction. It deserves knowledgeable guidance, careful preparation, and a dealer who appreciates its significance.

The Martin Custom Shop 000-28K 1921 is a rare opportunity to own a piece of Martin’s continuing legacy of craftsmanship.