One could say that this 1946 Martin D-28 was in the right place at the right time. But, its long-time owner created those moments and put it in the right hands; namely, Doc Watson. Ralph Rinzler purchased this guitar in 1959 at the beginning of his folk song collection journeys and spot as the mandolinist for the Greenbriar Boys. Ralph is credited as the one that discovered Doc Watson and worked as his manager for the first 5 or so years in the early 60s. In the passing of ownership in 1992, Ralph wrote a letter, (copy to be included), stating that "this very guitar was used by Doc Watson in the earliest recording sessions that Ralph conducted, before Doc replaced his Les Paul model with an acoustic. The guitar can be heard occasionally on the Folkway albums, particularly when he sang with Rosalee and two guitars were needed. The guitar was also used on his his second Vanguard records L.P.", we believe he is referring to the 1965 record "Doc Watson and Son." A recently surfaced photograph of Doc Watson in 1964/65 shows a '46 D-28 that appears to match with this guitar; featuring a similar light spot in the pickguard and a significant horizontal scratch above the soundhole that the provenance letter states was the result of allowing Bill Monroe's guitar player use it in 1963. A crack behind the bridge also seems to match up with the guitar in the photograph. The guitar was heavily played in years after, receiving a replacement ebony fretboard with snowflake inlays. Ralph is remembered most for his long career as the Folkways archivist at the Smithsonian Institute. In his obituary he recounts fondly of his time with the Greenbriar Boys. They were featured on two songs on Joan Baez's Vol. 2 record and Ralph can be heard playing this guitar on "Pal of Mine." A very young Bob Dylan opened for the Greenbriar Boys at Gerde's Folk City. Ralph Rinzler brought Doc Watson to the public eye and spent his career preserving the history of folk music, it is an honor to give this guitar the same treatment.
This 1946 D-28 presents in worn, yet honest condition. Provenance aside, 1946 D-28s are extremely desirable for their construction and aesthetic qualities. The herringbone bound dark sitka spruce top is taper braced with an old, potentially original/reglued, bridge plate. The current fretboard has snowflake inlays and appears to have been installed at some point later in its Ralph Rinzler ownership. The full/chunky neck plays well, and does not attract a magnet; so we can assume it has an ebony rod. The guitar is loud and dry sounding; you could say it's a match made in heaven for bluegrass aficionados.
Comes in modern TKL Hardshell Case
