All user reviews of 4/5 for the Martin & Co D-28

I have been messing around on the guitar for a long time now and have a pretty solid collection of guitars both acoustic and electric. I used to be conserned with more of the guitar’s looks when I was younger but that’s not the case anymore. I am now more consirned with the guitars ability to get the proper tone. I spend hours on hours sitting in a room that has concrete flooring in my basement playing because it really lets me hear the tone of the guitar better that way. The D 28 by Martin has allowed me to get that great tone almost every single time. It really is an amazing guitar and you must try to get your hands on it. Even if you cant afford it because it isn’t cheap you can always go down to guitar center and play with it and see if its something that you would want to own and then start saving the money to get it.


UTILIZATION

Yes, it is easy to get the last frets and the design and shape are perfect for me, but it may not be perfect for you. We all like our instruments to be as custom to us as possible to you will need to go try it out first like I said. Yes it is easy to get the sound you will love, there really arent too many other guitars that I own sound as good as this does.


SOUNDS

Sounds amazing I love it and I always will. I play some blue grass and folk with it from time to time and it gets the sound perfect each time.


OVERALL OPINION

One thing that I didn’t like about this was the price tag. It really put a dent on my credit card, but it was worth it in the end. I have paid it off a long time ago and the good thing about it is it can still be sold for almost the same price I purchased it for which is always a great sign when you can resell your gear for a similar price to what you paid for it.

Solid Sitka spruce top
Black and white rosette
Black pickguard
X-bracing
Rosewood back and sides
Ebony fingerboard and bridge
Neck width at nut 1-11/16"
25.4" scale length
20 frets

Made in Nazareth, PA. It's a Martin, in fact, it's THE Martin. There's no messing with this, this is the original, the one and only!


UTILIZATION

Since it's THE original acoustic dreadnought guitar there isn't much in terms of body shape improvements or any new ergonomically designed features with the body or neck. It's your classic acoustic guitar body and neck.

SOUNDS

First thing I like to do is put on a good set of strings. I've always hated the martin strings that come stock on the guitars, they're always dull and lifeless. I've also now recently seen that Martin strings up all their guitars with their lifespan extended life coated strings, why? Horrible idea if you ask me.

Just a plain set of daddarios would do me fine. After that, you get one of the biggest and most well known sounding acoustic guitar sounds ever. Martin guitars are known for having a certain warmth and huge low midrange that isn't found in other guitars. Other companies have of course built guitars based upon the Martin dread and still, only Martin has been able to achieve their signature sound. It's a HUGE sound, thick yet clear with lots of midrange and very warm.

OVERALL OPINION

It's the original! A Martin! Known for it's warmth and I love it. I can't get enough of it! I can't play any other guitar these days since I've laid my hands on this one! It's the sound in my head and it's the sound of many records over the past century that I've become accustomed to hearing. If you're looking for an all around good dreadnought acoustic guitar for the long haul with a great consistent sound, look no further! The D28 is tried and true!

It is my opinion that the Martin D28 is one of the best acoustic guitars made in production today in the $2,000 price point. Martin has a long history of quality and innovation, and these guitars have stood the test of time by all means. The original D28s are highly coveted and expensive so this affordable reissue allows a wider market to acquire one of these venerable guitars. They're still made in the USA by CF Martin IV and his wonderful team.

It features a spruce top, East Indian rosewood back, sides and neck, and the common X bracing pattern that has become the standard for acoustic guitars over time. Here is the full list of specs:

MODEL D-28
CONSTRUCTION: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint
BODY SIZE: D-14 Fret
TOP: Solid Sitka Spruce
ROSETTE: Style 28
TOP BRACING PATTERN: Standard ''X''
TOP BRACES: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16''
BACK MATERIAL: Solid East Indian Rosewood
BACK PURFLING: Style 28
SIDE MATERIAL: Solid East Indian Rosewood
ENDPIECE: White Boltaron
ENDPIECE INLAY: Black/White Boltaron
BINDING: White Boltaron
TOP INLAY STYLE: Multiple Black/White Boltaron
SIDE INLAY: none
BACK INLAY: Black/White Boltaron
NECK MATERIAL: Select Hardwood
NECK SHAPE: Low Profile
NUT MATERIAL: Bone
HEADSTOCK: Solid/Diamond/Square Taper
HEADPLATE: Solid East Indian Rosewood /Raised Gold Foil
HEELCAP: White Boltaron
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4''
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1-11/16''
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2-1/8''
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: Style 28
FINGERBOARD BINDING: none
FINISH BACK & SIDES: Polished Gloss
FINISH TOP: Polished Gloss ; Sunburst available at additional cost.
FINISH NECK: Satin
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony
BRIDGE STYLE: Belly
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2-1/8''
SADDLE: 16'' Radius/Compensated/Bone
TUNING MACHINES: Chrome Enclosed w/ Large Buttons
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Medium Gauge (MSP7200)
BRIDGE & END PINS: White w/ Black Dots
PICKGUARD: Black
CASE: 640 Molded
ELECTRONICS: Optional

UTILIZATION

The design of the D28 is quite good for bluegrass and country players who want a full and rich sounding dreadnought that sings for both strummed patterns as well as faster flatpicked lead lines. The ones I have tried are usually quite light for an acoustic and they sit very well on the body overall, which is great for a smaller person such as myself. These D28s sound great right out of the box and only get better as time goes on so getting a good sound is not an issue whatsoever. The upper fret access is not bad, but it doesn't have a cutaway, nor enough frets for it to be considered stellar.

SOUNDS

The sound of the D28 is really an amazing thing. It is a very rich and full bodied instrument that I find to be very heavy in the midrange. This is excellent for lead lines and more of a modern tone overall I find. It's a little bit fuller sounding than the HD-28, but it lacks a little bit of that top end sparkle as well. I found that I preferred the D28 over the HD28 in a shootout, even though the HD28 was more expensive and was built to more of a vintage specification. If you're a serious acoustic player and HAVEN'T tried a D28... I'm not really sure how to respond. They're a must try for any guitarist because of their pure Martin sound!

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the D28 is just an amazing acoustic guitar. It does many styles well and the craftsmanship is second to none. I compared it with the D18 and HD28 and found it to be my favourite sounding model. There is a reason that so many of the great players have used a D28... to me it just embodies the dreadnought acoustic guitar at its best.