DATE :
Martin Herringbone Binding: The $30,000 Detail That Disappeared in 1934
Martin Herringbone Trim: The Pre-War D-28 Detail That Commands Extraordinary Premiums
Last Updated: May 2026
What Is Martin Herringbone Trim and Why Does It Matter?
Martin herringbone trim is an intricate zigzag purfling pattern applied around the top edge of Style 28 Martin guitars — a decorative detail that became one of the most significant value markers in acoustic guitar collecting. Present on the D-28 from its 1931 dreadnought introduction through approximately 1946-1947 (when Martin discontinued it), herringbone trim on a pre-war D-28 combined with Brazilian rosewood, Adirondack spruce, and scalloped bracing creates THE most valuable standard-production Martin configuration — instruments commanding extraordinary to museum-tier pricing.
What makes herringbone significant:
50-150% Value Premium: A herringbone D-28 commands 50-150% more than an equivalent non-herringbone D-28 from the same era in comparable condition
Pre-War + Herringbone = Pinnacle: A pre-war (1931-1945) herringbone D-28 with scalloped bracing, Brazilian rosewood, and Adirondack spruce represents the absolute peak of Martin production — THE most sought-after standard-production acoustic guitar
1931-Approximately 1947 Production: Herringbone trim appeared on the D-28 from its 1931 dreadnought introduction through approximately 1946-1947 — creating a defined production window
Discontinued as Cost-Cutting: Martin eliminated the labor-intensive herringbone purfling during the post-war period — transforming a cost-saving decision into a permanent collector value dividing line
Visual Authentication Point: Herringbone is visually distinctive — the intricate zigzag pattern around the top edge is immediately identifiable and cannot be easily faked without skilled craftsmanship
Combined with Other Pre-War Features: Herringbone's value multiplies when present alongside other pre-war Martin features — scalloped bracing (pre-1944), Brazilian rosewood (pre-1970), Adirondack spruce (pre-war), and forward-shifted bracing (pre-1938)
CRITICAL CORRECTION: Herringbone trim on the D-28 was NOT discontinued in 1934 as sometimes incorrectly stated. Herringbone continued on D-28 production through approximately 1946-1947. The pre-war herringbone era (1931-1945) and early post-war herringbone (1945-1947) are both authentic herringbone production periods.
In Edgewater's experience buying vintage Martin guitars across Ohio and the Midwest, herringbone identification is straightforward visually but its value significance is frequently missed. Many shops evaluate pre-war D-28s as "old Martins" without recognizing that the herringbone trim combined with scalloped bracing, Brazilian rosewood, and Adirondack spruce creates a dramatically more valuable instrument than a post-herringbone D-28. The cumulative effect of these features — each individually significant — creates extraordinary combined value.
If you own a Martin D-28 with herringbone trim, Edgewater provides free evaluation. Call (440) 219-3607.
Herringbone D-28 Production Timeline
Era | Years | Key Features | Relative Value |
|---|---|---|---|
Pre-War Forward-Shifted | 1931-1938 | Herringbone + scalloped + forward-shifted + Brazilian + Adirondack | Museum tier |
Pre-War Rear-Shifted | 1938-1944 | Herringbone + scalloped + rear-shifted + Brazilian + Adirondack | Extraordinary tier |
War-Era | 1942-1945 | Herringbone + scalloped + Brazilian + Adirondack + wartime materials | Ultra-premium tier |
Early Post-War | 1945-~1947 | Herringbone + non-scalloped + Brazilian + Sitka | Premium tier |
Post-Herringbone | ~1947-1969 | NO herringbone + non-scalloped + Brazilian + Sitka | Upper-mid tier |
Post-Brazilian | 1970+ | NO herringbone + non-scalloped + Indian RW + Sitka | Mid tier |
The Cumulative Premium Stack
Feature | Individual Premium | Cumulative Effect |
|---|---|---|
Herringbone Trim | 50-150% | Foundation value marker |
+ Scalloped Bracing (Pre-1944) | 30-60% | Multiplied by herringbone |
+ Brazilian Rosewood | 100-300% | Further multiplied |
+ Adirondack Spruce | 25-40% | Pre-war top wood |
+ Forward-Shifted (Pre-1938) | 10-20% | Maximum stack |
= Complete Pre-War Stack | — | Museum-tier pricing |
How to Identify Herringbone Trim
Visual Identification
What Herringbone Looks Like: Intricate zigzag pattern running around the top edge of the guitar between the binding and the top wood. The pattern resembles the skeleton of a herring fish — alternating angled strips creating a continuous V-pattern. Typically appears as alternating black and white (or dark and light) strips in zigzag arrangement.
Where to Look: Around the entire perimeter of the guitar top — visible from the front. Runs between the outer binding and the top wood. Also present as a backstrip (herringbone pattern running down the center seam of the back).
Non-Herringbone D-28: Post-herringbone D-28s (approximately 1947+) have plain black-and-white purfling — straight lines without zigzag pattern. The visual difference is immediately obvious when comparing herringbone to non-herringbone.
Authentication Concerns
Aftermarket Herringbone Addition: Extremely difficult but not impossible to add herringbone to a non-herringbone guitar. Check for:
Binding replacement evidence at top/binding junction
Refinish evidence (herringbone addition requires rebinding and refinishing)
Herringbone pattern consistency (original Martin herringbone has specific pattern dimensions)
Age consistency between herringbone strip and surrounding materials
Serial number dating (if serial indicates post-1947, herringbone should NOT be present on a standard D-28)
Herringbone on Post-1947 Guitar = Red Flag: If a D-28 has serial number indicating post-1947 production but shows herringbone trim, it's either: (1) a modern reissue (Martin reintroduced herringbone on certain models), (2) aftermarket addition, or (3) misidentified serial number. Professional authentication essential.
Value Impact
Herringbone vs Non-Herringbone D-28
Configuration | Value Level | Premium Over Post-Herringbone |
|---|---|---|
Pre-war herringbone (1931-1945) | Extraordinary to museum | 200-500%+ |
Early post-war herringbone (~1945-1947) | Premium to ultra-premium | 50-100% |
Post-herringbone Brazilian (1947-1969) | Upper-mid to premium | Baseline |
Post-Brazilian (1970+) | Mid tier | 60-80% lower than Brazilian |
Additional Value Factors
Factor | Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
All-original condition | 60-120% premium | Essential for maximum value |
Original Adirondack top | 25-40% premium | Pre-war standard |
Scalloped bracing | 30-60% premium | Pre-1944 |
Forward-shifted bracing | 10-20% premium | Pre-1938 |
Clean top (no cracks) | 20-40% premium | Over cracked |
Top cracks (repaired) | 15-35% reduction | Depending on severity |
Re-topped | 40-60% reduction | Irreplaceable loss |
Refinished | 25-40% reduction |
Common Issues
Top cracks: 79-95 year spruce develops cracks. Professional repair acceptable. 15-35% reduction.
Neck reset: Professional dovetail reset acceptable. 10-15% reduction.
Re-topped: Original herringbone top replaced. Catastrophic — 50-70% reduction.
Herringbone binding deterioration: The herringbone strip itself can shrink, crack, or separate. Repair affects value 10-20%.
Refinishing: 25-40% reduction.
Re-braced: 30-50% reduction.
Bridge replacement: 10-15% reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Martin herringbone trim?
A: Intricate zigzag purfling pattern around the D-28 top edge — alternating angled strips creating a continuous V-pattern. Present on D-28 from 1931 through approximately 1946-1947. Discontinued as cost-cutting measure. Commands 50-150% premiums over non-herringbone D-28.
Q: When was herringbone on the Martin D-28?
A: Approximately 1931 (D-28 dreadnought introduction) through 1946-1947. NOT just 1931-1934 as sometimes incorrectly stated. Both pre-war and early post-war herringbone D-28s exist, though pre-war examples (with scalloped bracing and Adirondack spruce) command dramatically higher premiums.
Q: How much does herringbone add to D-28 value?
A: 50-150% premium over equivalent non-herringbone D-28. Combined with scalloped bracing, Brazilian rosewood, and Adirondack spruce (pre-war full stack), the cumulative effect creates extraordinary to museum-tier pricing — making pre-war herringbone D-28s among the most valuable production acoustic guitars.
Q: Can herringbone be added to a non-herringbone guitar?
A: Theoretically possible but extremely difficult and detectable through binding junction inspection, refinish evidence, pattern consistency analysis, and serial number dating. A post-1947 D-28 with herringbone is a red flag requiring professional authentication.
Q: Does Edgewater evaluate herringbone D-28s?
A: Yes — free evaluation including herringbone authentication, scalloped bracing inspection, Brazilian rosewood verification, Adirondack spruce confirmation, and complete condition assessment. Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia. Call (440) 219-3607.
Related Resources
Recently Purchased: Herringbone D-28 Case Study
The Guitar: 1941 Martin D-28 with herringbone trim — a pre-war example with the complete premium feature stack. Original herringbone purfling around top (intact, excellent condition), original Adirondack spruce top, original Brazilian rosewood back and sides, scalloped bracing confirmed through soundhole inspection, original finish with 85-year patina. One professionally repaired top crack (stable). Serial number confirmed 1941 production.
The Seller: Estate in Warren, Ohio. Guitar inherited from grandfather who played bluegrass.
The Transaction: Edgewater traveled to Warren. We verified herringbone trim (authentic zigzag pattern, age-consistent with surrounding materials), confirmed scalloped bracing through soundhole inspection, verified Brazilian rosewood through visual and aromatic analysis, confirmed Adirondack spruce top. The complete pre-war premium stack — herringbone + scalloped + Brazilian + Adirondack — all present and original.
The Outcome: "The shop called it 'a nice old D-28 with some fancy trim' and offered what they'd pay for any vintage Martin. Edgewater immediately identified every premium feature — herringbone, scalloped bracing, Brazilian rosewood, Adirondack spruce — and explained how each multiplies the others' value. Their offer was more than six times the shop's quote."
Edgewater Guitars: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia. Contact us: [link] | (440) 219-3607.
