Martin 000-28EC

My 000-28ec was built and purchased in 1996. The submissions below list all of the same features as my instrument. Although the features are spare (this is, after all, an acoustic guitar) they are extremely well done. The fantastic hard shell case brings the score from a 7 to an 8.

I play a little of everything but tend to lean towards blues and country/bluegrass. I play both finger-style and with a pick. The sound of this guitar fits my needs exactly. There is a very even response across the band (no overwhelming highs or lows). The tone is not "bright" or "brassy" like a Taylor or Ovation. But rather, it is clear or "bell-like". While the sound is best when played at a moderate or low volume finger-style or "parlor pickin'" the guitar does not fall apart sonically when played hard. This is where I disagree with other reviews; Towshend chords or Chuck Berry leads at full volume are clear and defined. Although the guitar has a small body, the tone cuts through other guitars (D-28 and J-200) with ease. One key to my purchase was having someone else play the instrument so you can hear what the audience hears. It makes a big difference.

The action had been modified before I bought the instrument. Apparently Martin's factory action is relatively high so the saddle was lowered. The finish is impeccable (the vintage tint is stunning), the wood is beautiful (my spruce top has some bright bars normal to the grain that gives my guitar a unique look). The saddle notches are not evenly spaced, nothing that affects playing, but it is a little bothersome. I'm not sure if it was a factory thing.

The neck and fingerboard deserve special mention. The deep vee neck looks awkward but as soon as you put your hands around it you realize why EC wanted it that way. It supports the whole hand when you use the thumb-over blues grip or three finger lead playing. The fret work is wonderful. In combination with the ebony board, there is no limit to the speed you can play. I tend to slide my notes and triads and this neck works perfectly for that style.

So far so good. I've been playing this instrument at least 2 hours a day, 7 days a week for 5 years and I've never had any problems. It is especially stable; it seems the only time I have to tune it is when I'm restringing it or changing the tunning. Since this is a major investment, I've been very careful with it. I only play outdoors rarely, wipe it down after each session and always store it in the case (its kind of a shame since it looks so nice in a stand). Even with care, it does get scratches and button rills probably due to the thin finish, but as long as I'm the one putting them on, it becomes "personality" rather than blemish.

I recently had the saddle trimmed again as the action got a little high from the 9th fret up. I was worried about the neck but its still straight. No visable sign of the bridge pulling or the top warping, so I'm not quite sure why this is occurring.

Never had to use it.

I've been playing for 30 years and I've owned Yamaha 12 and 6 strings,Fender Lone Star Strat, Les Paul Studio. Five years ago I wanted a quality guitar/heirloom and spent nearly a year playing all brands and models of acoustic guitars before buying the EC. My EC is by far, the best instrument I've ever owned, played or heard. I'm really glad that I asked the shop owner to play the guitar before I bought it. We set up 2 Taylor dreadnoughts, an Ovation, J-200, a D-28 and D-18 and I just sat back and listened as he played each one in various combinations. I had almost decided on the Taylor when he asked if I had tried the EC. He played it and the tone sold me. The brightness of the Taylors and Ovation are great when you're recording or running them through an amp, but, to me, the brightness became overwhelming when played live. The J-200 and Martin dreadnoughts were more uncomfortable to play and seemed muted (although louder)compared to the EC. The finish was much nicer and the neck more comfortable on the EC than the D-28 or the Taylors. (The J-200 sounded ok but was very poorly put together). I also tried a Collings small body that was very nice but too much money for an instrument that just didn't fit my hands as nicely.

It may sound like a cliche but my playing improved immeasurably after purchasing this guitar. I am convinced that you get what you pay for (except Gibsons). If you've been playing long enough (5-10 years) using lower quality instruments, you won't believe the difference. Each of the guitars I tried had their specialties and were all high quality instruments. When it all came down to making the pick, the EC was just better in every category. If all the EC's play this well, I'd buy another in an instant if I lost mine.

Listed above.
Mainly 24.9 inch scale, Sitka top, Indian back and sides.

What attracted my attention to this particular guitar was (1) ease of playing..that short scale really is nice...(2) small body size means it's easy to play anywhere, and (3) tone and this baby has tone!

This is one great guitar, and I have a custom made Roy McAlister and Guild and Ramirez classical as well. This is probably not the best guitar for dropped tunings like DADGAD, as the short scale which is so wonderful to play in normal tuning of EADGBE becomes a bit sloppy if all the strings are dropped.

I have really hotrodded this guitar, with a compensated bone bridge, switch to gold plated tuners (obtained from Martin for about $55), gold strap button on neck heel, brass bridge pins made from Alan Marshall of England, custom light Newtone Strings from England, LR Baggs Dual Source Pickup....

My pet peeve is that I don't like all the lacquer on the back of the neck..it may chip off and leave rough spaces...

Set up higher than I like it for fingerpicking. Randy Hughes did a set up two years later and the thing plays like butter, as they say.

No flaws in this guitar. Sitka top has the most cross silking of any top I've ever seen.

This guitar is NOT built like a tank as my Guild is. Seems to pick up more knocks than others.


But it's my main axe and it will last my lifetime at least...(I'm fifty or so...)

I use this guitar in Church with and without backup. With that Baggs Dual Source run through a Trace Elliott seven band equalizer into the house PA, this guitar can rock. Very acoustic sound. Easiest guitar to play I own.

Martin people couldn't be better. Fixed it one time under warranty. Ordered the gold plated tuners as a substitute. Lost a hex bushing one time and Martin sent it to me free in two or three days.

Martin Guitars customer support can't be beat, in my book.

Warranty is for life to original owner. Of course it won't cover abuse, and normal wear and tear items on a guitar, like replacing worn frets.

I've been playing since 1963 or 64. I own a custom made McAlister, Guild JF-30, Ramirez R-4 and am having a McAlister classical also made.

If this guitar was lost, I'd have Roy McAlister make me one like it. <G>

If I could change anything, it's: the toner is darker than I'd like, I'd get rid of Eric's signature, I'd add a factory installed compensated bone bridge and gold strap button, it should come with the gold tuners intead of nickel, the lacquer is too heavy on the back of the neck, and I don't like ivoroid binding, preferring real wood binding.

MADE: 1999, Martin, USA
BODY STYLE Auditorium (000)
SERIES Vintage Series
TOP WOOD Solid Spruce
ROSETTE Herringbone
PICKGUARD Tortoise Color
BRACING Scalloped 5/16"
SIDE WOOD Solid Rosewood
BACK WOOD Solid Rosewood
BACK CONSTRUCTION 2 piece
BACK INLAY STRIP Zig Zag (HD)
FINGERBOARD AND BRIDGE Ebony
BINDING Grained Ivoroid
BOUND FINGERBOARD No
NECK WIDTH AT NUT 1 3/4"
SCALE LENGTH 24.9"
FRETS CLEAR 14
FRETS TOTAL 20
BODY FINISH Gloss with Vintage Toner
NUMBER OF STRINGS 6
CASE: Included in price

The traditional handsome/understanded Martin look and feel with some cosmetic upgrades incliuding snowflage fretboard markers an Eric Clapton signature inlay on the 18th fret. Guitar label is signed by Eric Clapton.

The 000 is a common size for fingerpickers and the 000-28 is something of the benchmark instrument. And for good reason. It has more versatility than I had anticipated and can, in a pinch, be used fairly effectively as a rhythm instrument as the bass is faily round. But it is essentially a fingerpicking device extraordinare. It is what I extected from an instrument of this cost/caliber.

Martin pays a lot of attention to the details on its Special Edition models. The wood on this particualr instrument appears to be of a modestly higher grade than their standard 28s, but that may be a toner-enhanced illusion.

The factory action was very high, even for my tastes and I like'em that way. So make sure that the guitar shop sets it up to your liking.

I've had this guitar for less than a year. It has worn well for such a light instrument. The finish is solid.

This is a great guitar. And I'm pleased that I purchased it. It sits alongside my Gibson J-200 as among my favorites.

If I had to do it again, though, I'm not sure that I'd get this particular model. Guitars age to a deeper brown over time and the aura of Eric Clapton's signature in the soundbox doesn't seem to be helping my playing. So I'm not sure the $500-plus premium is justifed.
But you have to have it to them for great marketing.

I'd probably head toward the new Martin 000-28H which has the legendary forward shifted 5/16 bracing and retails for about $600 less. Or the 000-28VS, which is a little more pricey than the Clapton but has forward shifted bracing and slotted pegheads.

(sorry for my poor english, I'm the italian guy of the first submission) 1999 made. Vintage series. All very high grade, solid woods. Sitka perfectly quartersawn and bookmatched on the top, rosewood on back and sides. One piece mahogany neck with medium "V" section and diamond on back. Blackest ebony on fingerboard and bridge. Martin vintage (butterbean) nickel tuners (by Gotoh?. I think it's the only one standard or vintage 000 model with shorter scale (24,9") and wider neck (1 3/4"). Very, very good for fingerstyle, you can pick (gently) too. Very good and great looking case (TKL-Geib style)with manual, keys, accessories, ecc. See other submissions (on OOO28-EC instead 000) or www.mguitars.com for details.

Very full and balanced, it's a breeze to play. You must try it!

Exceptional finish: great grained ivoiroid binding, exceptional herringbone around the top and the rosette (more small than the one on HD28), vintage toner on the top (golden), light gloss finish, the neck is quite fast (very thin gloss here). All the wood is really perfect, with no flaws on woods and on the finishes. Before here is a great "10". Now: micarta bone and saddle and plastic pins... it's no "vintage"... I can change these easly by myself but I prefere to pay 50$ more for the guitar and have all in bone/ivory. Tuners seems good, but for the high class of this guitar must be better (i.e. Waverly).

no experience on the road. All solid woods guitars must be stored correct: you must costantly see temperature and humidity (40%-60%) and avoid rapid changes. See the site of Larrivee or Santa Cruz for details.

Don't have contact with Martin (I live in Italy) The shop in Italy (Ghislery, Bergamo) was very kind and have well valutated my used amps for this guitar... In Italy is very hard to find good guitars You can quite easly found only D or small-jombo cutway. Taylor series 5, Larrivee series 5 and 9, Martin standard (only D18 and D28). For exampe, the greatest shops have max 6-7 guitars over 1.500 $... I was very lucky to found the 00028-EC near me at a right price too... The "10" is for the shpo!

I also have a Santa Cruz D and the use, the sound and the playability is somplementary wit the 000. I have tried several 000 - OM but I think this one is at the top. (I can't think the 00042EC or the OM42 can sound better than this!). The price is not cheap, but you have a definitive, really great guitar. Remember: you can't buy a very great guitar with a light price... if you want the best (woods, finishes, sound,...) you must pay, but the satisfaction is guaranteed! I wish your comments with mail! bye bye!

Serie vintage, anno 1999, cassa piccola (000), scala corta (24.9")e tastiera/interspazio tra le corde leggermente aumentata (1 3/4" al caporasto, circa 44 mm). Chitarra morbida, ideale per il fingerpicking ed e credo l'unica Martin di rango con queste tre caratteristiche dimensionali. Tutti i legni sono masselli.
Top: abete sitka quartersawn e perfettamente bookmatched, finitura gloss, tinta vintage (conferisce un aspetto ancora piu giallo al sitka), legno senza imperfezioni con venature chiuse, verticali con alcuni pregevoli "cross grain". Herringbone piu piccolo del solito ma favoloso intorno al top ed alla buca. Binding in ivoiroid (avorio sintetico, molto piu bello del binding bianco "plasticoso" presente sulla serie standard) con ulteriori bordi nero/abete/nero. Battipenna in (simil)tartaruga-celluloide.
Fasce e fondo: palissandro indiano perfetto, quartersawn e bookmatched, bella striscia centrale zig-zag. Finitura gloss leggera.
Manico: mogano pezzo unico, sezione medium V, 14/20 tasti ben rifiniti, tastiera in ebano totalmente nero, nessun binding, inserti in abalone (small diamonds)sulla tastiera e dot bianchi sul lato, firma di E.C. tra gli ultimi due tasti in abalone, scritta solita CFMartin oro, meccaniche Martin vintage nichel butterbean (tipo waverly), diamond/arrow (rigonfiamento) sulla parte posteriore della paletta all'inserzione con il manico che non compromette la suonabilita. Ponte in ebano. Pin, capotasto, osso del ponte (sagomato ma non compensato) in Micarta (bleah!). Manico incollato su incastro a coda di rondine (lo sapevate che le tanto blasonate Taylor avvitano il manico al corpo ed il risparmio di tempo non si traduce in risparmio economico per l'acquirente? Non mi si dica che il manico avvitato si puo regolare meglio perche sono anni che anche la Martin ha il truss-rod regolabile tra l'altro dalla buca e non dalla paletta con rischio di rottura della stessa nella sua inserzione con il manico)
Interno: scalloped (ovvero attenzione alle corde troppo grosse...).
Custodia: bellissima, nera con cuciture chiare e hardware ottonato lucido, chiavi e targhetta Martin personalizzabile, interno velluto verde piegazzato molto bello, esattamente su misura (inserendo la chitarra si sente uscire l'aria...). Manuale, garanzia Martin, garanzia importatore, brugola, panno ecc. compresi.

Suono ottimo, dolce, bilanciato. Da usare fingerpicking ma anche con plettro (medium). Nonostante sia una Martin, i bassi non sono in evidenza. Mai sentito un suono migliore da una 000.

Action: di serie e lasciata non molto bassa per una chitarra simile ma basta limare leggermente l'osso e si puo ottenere veramente un'action bassa (ma non troppo: la scala e corta e le corde sono quindi morbide).
Corde: di serie .012 ph.bronze. Martin consiglia fino a .013. Non usare assolutamente piu grandi (la raggiera scalloped ne risente irrimediabilmente)
Finiture: quelle estetiche sono ai massimi livelli nella loro semplicita (anche se l'herringone non e poi cosi semplice da fare...). Il mio voto e 9 per due motivi: le parti in micarta (capotasto, ponte, pioli) data la classe della chitarra per di piu serie vintage, il prestigio del marchio e, last but no least, il prezzo (tra l'adeguato ed il caruccio), dovrebbero essere in osso. Le meccaniche sono valide ma migliorabili (le Waverly sono un'altra cosa). Tutte cose che si possono sostituire senza problemi e, tranne le meccaniche, con una spesa contenuta. Personalmente pero ritengo che a questi livelli bisognerebbe avere il massimo (piuttosto far pagare 100$ in piu). Fossero comunque questi i problemi...

Scarsa esperienza on the road. La chitarra sembra piu che solida e, se custodita con cura (attenzione agli sbalzi di umidita specialmente al troppo secco, e a non usare corse sopra .013)dura una vita (e ci mancherebbe...)

Mai avuto contatti con Martin anche se ne ho sentito parlare bene, Molto valido il sito ufficiale. La garanzia del negoziante (Ghisleri, Bergamo) e totale per ben due anni, per cui il 10 e per lui. Tra l'altro Ghisleri ha proposto questa chitarra ad un prezzo interessante ed ha valutato molto bene il mio usato in permuta. Veramente molto cortesi.

Cos'altro dire? Non e una dreadnought, e una chitarra intima, morbida, sensibile alla dinamica, dal suono bilanciato e dolce. Il prezzo e un po altino, per di piu ho paura che un 5-10% sia dovuto alla firma E.C. (ne avrei fatto a meno). Non ne ho l'intenzione, ma la rivendibilita e comunque ottima. E' comunque difficile trovare in Italia chitarre piccole di pregio (Santa Cruz, Lowden, ecc.) e sovente i prezzi non sono giustificati.
Posseggo anche una Santa Cruz D il cui suono ed utilizzo e perfettamente complementare alla 0028EC.

1998 Model Martin 000-28EC Auditorium guitar.
14 Frets exposed. Solid Spruce Top (certified Sitka, one of the finest pieces of wood I've seen) East Indian Rosewood back and sides... super close grain and no flaws)
Solid mahogany neck... with the V shaped back... you will never want another neck again, trust me. The scale is about 3/4 shorter than the other Martins... may sound bad on paper, but you can FLY
Ebony fretboard... it feels like butter.
Antique stained high gloss finish... extremely fine had-done herringbone marquette.
Its a piece of art, and that's that.

Not that booming Dreadnought sound, but the wood gives the deepest, richest tones... This smaller guitar punches though when I play with a guys with Martin D-28s and Tylor 700s.
The action is super low without a buzz, and even the lightest touch of the fingertip produces a complex and rich sound.

Set up was flawless! You have to hear the harmonics.
The finish did have some flaws in it, the laquer had not properly dried, but you'll hear about that when I talk about service.
The finish didn't matter so much when I heard the guitar, but now its fixed and perfect.

This will last longer than you will.... but you best take care of the thing.

I took the guitar to the factory in person... the head guitar tech actually came out, took me into the shop, and fixed my finish as I took the tour... no paperwork needed.. no anytying/
NOW GET THIS!! He said my case wasn't a perfect fit, so they fit a new one there for me and just gave it to me... !!! You cna't beat Martin service.

I have a Fender Strat Plus Deluxe, and played an all Cedar Seagull before this.
I haven't picked up my electric in a month... and I was a rock and roll freak.
This guitar will change the way you lok at music and nothing could make music sound sweeter.

A 1996 Martin handmade in the Martin factory in Nazereth, PA. This is an Eric Clapton signature model, the follow on to their limited edition 000-42EC. It's a small scale guitar (24.9".) Sides and back are East Indian rosewood, and the top is bookmatched from select quartersawn Sitka spruce (according to the Martin Website.) Fingerboard is ebony, EC's signature is inlaid in mother of pearl at the 20th fret. "Butterbean" tuner knobs, old-style Martin logo. Nice sturdy case included. It looks like a vintage instrument.

This guitar sounds amazing. Great for blues, which I bought it for. Has a beautiful, even tone that can withstand a strong pick attack without ever sounding harsh. It's one of the nicest sounding Martin's I've ever played.

Flawless. Played perfectly from day one.

I take extreme care with this guitar. It is exceptionally well made, and Martin guarantees all their guitars for the rest of the original owner's life. Highly dependable, and quality is top notch.

Martin is a family owned business, and having spoken to them a couple times (in eager anticipation of my guitar which I had to wait several months for) they were incredibly friendly and answered all of my frivilous questions. I would imagine they would be the same no matter what the issue. They've built incredible brand equity over the past 150 years, and I doubt they'd ever want to risk it. Let me add that Nazereth Music (the dealer I bought this from) was also friendly, helpful, and is EXTREMELY careful with their instruments.

I've been playing for 10 years. I've also got a Gibson Lucille, a cheapo-strat (my first guitar, which doesn't see the light of day anymore), a Fender BluesJunior amp, and an Ampeg AX70 (I believe that's the model #.) I must say this instrument is perfect. If I had to pick on something, I'd say the back of the neck is very glossy and your thumb skids on it sometimes--but that's really stretching it. I particularly like the v-shaped neck which takes a bit to get used to. I didn't really look at many other guitars when I got this--I played it once and knew I wanted it immediately.

1996 Auditorium Size. V neck with Diamond on back. 24.9" scale length. High gloss with vintage toner. Solid top, back and sides. Rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top. Butterbean open tuners with vintage style Geib case. (Very nice Green velvet inside)

Wonderful feel and projection. Very light and bouncy but can withstand the hard playing. Great for fingerstyle and also some pick work. Wonderful for the blues. Full warm sound from a small box.

All of the wood was matched perfectly. No flaws (it's martin folks). Set up beautifully at the factory and played like a dream out of the box.

Lifetime instrument. Lifetime warranty (although I highly doubt I will ever need it). This is the guitar when only a Martin will do.

The people at Martin are very friendly and always answer your questions quickly and honestly.

I own 9 guitars (2 Martins) and this is my favorite acoustic instrument. (That is a high compliment because I also own a Ramirez 3E) If you are a fingerstylist and want one of the best guitars (it is small scale with 1 3/4" nut) out there, then buy this guitar. I will not let anyone play my OOO-28EC. It was a bit expensive but worth it for the Martin quality.