Martin 5-28 Terz

A tiny, high-tuned favorite returns to Martin’s standard line.

High-tuned “terz” guitars offer guitarists bright, fresh tones at their fingertips. These instruments have small bodies, and their short scale allows high tunings, typically a minor third higher than standard guitar tuning (G-to-G), although many variations are possible. Martin introduced its size 5 body (the smallest guitar body in the company’s line) in the late 1800s, and it has been used for both terz and four-string tenor guitars (check out Peghead Nation instructor Marla Fibish’s demo of her 1930 Martin 5-17T). After retiring the terz for several years, Martin is back with the 5-28 model. Older Martin terz guitars are rare and there are few other options available, so this new instrument is a welcome successor to earlier examples. In this video, Peghead Nation’s Teja Gerken demonstrates the guitar in our studio. 

Martin 5-28 Terz specs

• Size 5 body
• Spruce top with X-bracing
• Indian rosewood back and sides
• Select hardwood neck
• Ebony fingerboard and bridge
• 21.38 inch scale
• 1¾-inch nut width
• Nickel open-gear tuning machines
• Style-28 appointments
• Made in USA
• $3,599 street 

martinguitar.com

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