1935 Martin D-28 Herringbone "Holy Grail" Guitar | Rickey Wasson's Story & Tone Demo (Part 2)

Welcome back to The Guitar Porch for Part Two of our incredible interview with bluegrass legend Rickey Wasson!

In this highly anticipated episode, Rickey shares his personal and emotional journey to find the ultimate dream guitar: a legendary 1935 Martin D-28 Herringbone. This particular vintage acoustic guitar is often referred to by collectors and players as the "Holy Grail", representing the peak of pre-war acoustic instrument craftsmanship.

Interviewed by Kenny Smith, this conversation dives deep into the passion, the search, and the historical significance of this rare instrument. We cover the defining features that give the pre-war Martin D-28 its iconic tone, including the use of Brazilian Rosewood and an Adirondack Spruce top with advanced scalloped bracing.

The Holy Grail Tone Demonstration: Stick around until the end of the video where we demonstrate exactly why these 1935 instruments are so coveted. Rickey and Kenny put the two 1935 Martin Herringbones head-to-head, allowing you to hear the subtle yet spectacular differences in tone that make these guitars truly special. If you're a fan of vintage acoustic guitars, bluegrass music, or guitar history, this is a must-watch!

About Rickey:
Rickey Wasson spent 15 years as lead vocalist and guitarist for J. D. Crowe & The New South, one of bluegrass music’s most respected bands. His powerful, soulful voice has earned him a place among today’s top bluegrass singers. Rickey’s standout vocals on the band’s acclaimed album Lefty’s Old Guitar helped the project achieve remarkable success, including a 2008 Grammy® Nomination, 2008 SPBGMA Song of the Year, 2007 IBMA Album of the Year, and the #1 Song and Album on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s National Bluegrass Survey Charts.

In 2008, Rickey released his solo album From the Heart and Soul, featuring an impressive lineup of bluegrass veterans including J. D. Crowe, Don Rigsby, Dwight McCall, Sonya Isaacs, Ben Isaacs, Randy Kohrs, Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, and Harold Nixon. The album included the charting single “Losin’ in Las Vegas.” His first solo project, Songs From the Old Country Church (1996), remains a favorite among fans to this day.

Before joining J. D. Crowe & The New South in 1998, Rickey briefly filled in with Alison Krauss, co-founded the well-regarded bluegrass group Southern Blend in 1984, and had already been performing bluegrass since the age of four. As Rickey puts it, “I never knew there was any other kind of music until I was 10.”

Today, Rickey owns and operates his own music store in Clay City, Kentucky, and has recently opened Rick’s Main Street Studio—a state-of-the-art recording facility designed to provide artists with a comfortable, inspiring environment that brings out their very best performances.

Vintage D-28:
A 1935 Martin D-28 Herringbone featured a spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard with Style 28 inlays. Key specifications included a dovetail neck joint, 14-fret to body construction, a 25.4" scale length, and a 1-11/16" nut width. It had forward-shifted X-bracing and a belly-style bridge with a bone saddle.

Chapters/Timestamps (Jump to what interests you):
0:00 The Guitar Porch Intro, Kenny and Rickey talk about guitars
2:47 Rickey's Quest for the 1935 Martin Herringbone
19:55 Comparing the Two 1935 Guitars
25:50 J.D. Crowes' favorite
30:13 Lester Flatts Guitars
32:07 1938 Shade Top Martin D-45
41:44 The "Holy Grail" Guitar Sound, 1935 Martin Herringbones Demonstration

Connect with The Guitar Porch:
Watch Part One of the Rickey Wasson Interview:    • Rickey Wasson Interview Part One  
Watch all The Guitar Porch Episodes:    • The Guitar Porch  

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