12-Fret Style 28

With a 12-fret body that measures 13¹/₂ inches across the lower bout, the 0-28VS is over two inches narrower than a standard, 14-fret dreadnought. But the body is only a fraction of an inch shorter than a dread, and the placement of the bridge—in the middle of the lower bout rather than toward the waist of the guitar—is often considered to be the best position for producing a loud, clear, and highly articulate voice. With their wide fingerboard and string spacing, 12-fret Martins have been perennial favorites of fingerstyle players, and the 0-28VS offers true vintage-style dimensions in its 1 7/8-inch nut and 2 5/16-inch string spacing at the saddle.

The russet-hued solid East Indian rosewood back and sides and gold-toned solid Sitka spruce top of this 0-28VS are finished in “polished gloss,” but the neck is satin-finished. That’s the best of all possible worlds, by my lights. The wood grain on the back and sides is wide and quite straight

SPECS: 12-fret 0-size body. Solid Sitka spruce top. Solid East Indian rosewood back and sides. Scalloped X-bracing. Select hardwood neck with dovetail joint. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. Bone nut and saddle. 24.9-inch scale. 1⁷/₈-inch nut width. 2⁵/₁₆-inch string spacing at saddle. Polished gloss body finish. Satin neck finish. Slotted headstock with nickel Waverly tuners. Light-gauge Martin Lifespan strings. Made in USA.