Martin 000-28EC

To be honest, I originally bought this guitar because I'm a Clapton fan and it was the Martin Eric Clapton signature model that I could afford. The 000-42EC is way out of my price range and the Belezza is but a wet dream to me. The more I play the 000-EC28 the more I am in love with it.

Very clean looking guitar. The lightweight made me worry about the sound quality. V-shape Wide neck is beautiful for picking and bends. Came with Martin case (green inside). No electronics but maybe's it's best your put your own in. I bought mine used and the previous owner put in a Fishman Active Matrix pickup in.

I love the butterbean tuning pegs as well, very classy.

It took me a while to really appreciate the sound which is amazing. What got my attention was even with hard strumming the sound was on par with bigger fullsized guitars hammering out loud, precise and resonating sound. Bass sound is of course medicore but that is given with the smaller body guitars.

Very fast neck. Took a while to get use to. Because the is Neck wide, it's great for fingerpicking and blues bends.

Beware, once you get use to the speed and wide neck, you won't go back to think necked guitars.

When I hold the guitar in good lightning, I'm amazed at the build quality and finish of this guitar.

Martin recommends Medium strings but I'm using light strings to make bending easier... wondering how extra light strings would work.

Light but strong. Very well built. And the smell of the wood... it's hypnotizing - good combination of woods. Protect your investment, MAKE SURE YOU GET A HUMIDIFIER FOR THIS GUITAR.

Guitar was setup by previous owner, it's perfect.

This one is a keeper. It will never be lost. If it got stolen, I would buy another and hire asassins to track down and kill the thief slowly and painfully. I'm giving it a 9 overall. If the price were a wee bit cheaper, I'd give it a 10.

I love this guitar. All I need now is for Eric Clapton to autograph my 000-28EC and it's a dream come true.

Standard Specs 000, standard depth body with full gloss body and neck. Martin now specifies the use of hardward for neck material. This can be mahogany or spanish cedar(a mahogany family wood). While this may bother some, spanish cedar has been in the past by Martin and other builders successfully. The shortscale and v-neck combine to make this an incredibly comfortable player. The short-scale may take little acclimating for those used to standard scale. Another thing is the light weight of this instrument which lends its great tone.

Although this guitar is well suited for and often associated with blues and folk styles, it can do much more. When I first played it, I noticed how resonant the tone is; nice depth, overtones, and sustain. The tonal range is very balanced with a bit of punch in the midrange. When playing this guitar for a relative, who has a very good ear for music, remarked about its resonance. It's resonance remainds me much of what I hear in my deeper bodied Breedlove C25 cedar/rosewood; apples and oranges but still note worthy. It does very well with modern sounds and contemporary fingerstyle arrangements and is probably the one of the most well rounded guitars I have experienced.

The fit and finish are great. Very well done.

I expect this instrument to be as reliable as any other and require no more special care than any other.

I haven't need to deal with Martin before.

Over 10 years ago when I first played a 000-28EC, I was taken with how much it sounded like the "unplugged" album and since this guitar been been lurking on my to-do list. It hit the radar again recently when I played a used one which reminded me of its qualities and also made a statement that it was far more capable of just playing blues and folk. It still had an attraction and fit the build considering my ear and playing has matured since my first impressions of rhe model. Although years ago initially drawn by the "Clapton's" sig, I primarily bought this guitar for the specs as this purchase was definately going to be a short scale and this was one of the best sounding I had played.

I have been playing for 30 years; predominately fingerstyles influenced by Chet, Doc, some Clapton, and Tommy Emmanuel more recently. I also have a 000-12 fret Martin, the afore mentioned Breedlove, and a Grand Concert Taylor. The 000-28EC is a nice fit in this group. I would also like to restate how this guiatr's tonal character. Although a traditional styled/voiced instrument, it has tone that works very well with modern styles.

I think comparably speaking about other guitars in this price range, this guitar's merits represent a very distinctive offering within this group.

Beautiful top, sides, and fretboard.

Unlike any other acoustic i have heard or played. very easy to play and sounds great.

Bought it new and directly off the martin line (pays to know someone high up at martin) Great set up, and also really easy to play with a sustain to die for.

haven't had anything go wrong with it, really solid guitar

Never had to deal with it

great value, great guitar, great sound, afterall it is a martin

This is a follow-up from my previous review; the guitar does not have a lot of frills, but the aging toner sets it apart from so many others with that vintage look. I do like the simple inlays and the signature isn't obtrusive...Printed signature label but who cares? You're buying it for how it sounds!

I own many guitars of late, from the major manufacturers, and this Martin 000EC is definitely one of the best sounding guitars I have EVER owned. Played it at the open mic last night(with a K&K mini pickup) and they used it for the sound check. People came up to me and were amazed at the tone and volume, even when the mics were off! It does have this unique woody sound--more like a Gibson, but nothing like you would ever expect out of a small bodied guitar such as this!
One thing is for certain: Find the 00028EC that sounds the best, because they do NOT all sound alike(Taylors are more consistent in their sound from guitar to guitar). This EC has a rich, warm sound that makes you want to keep playing long into the night...

No adjustments needed.

It will be just fine, but I won't let it out of my sight! A very light instrument.

I realize why this guitar sells for the $3100(although I did not pay that)....Find the right one and it is worth the price. I would find another somehow if this was lost or stolen.
Somehow they got it right with this model!
And unfortunately, the price will probably go up soon with the economy the way it is now...

Features are well documented, so I won't go over them again. Mine is a 2007, has the micarta nut & saddle which was replaced by bone in the 2008 model. I wish it had bone, but probably negligible when it comes down to it. I would say they replaced it with bone to justify the price increase??? What I do like most about the features are the lack thereof. Other than the herringbone and aging toner, it's just a plain ole guitar and that's what makes it so beautiful. It commands a presence when you pull it out of the case! Less is more to me.

By and far the best sounding intrument I've ever owned, and this is my seventh Martin. I've had some nice ones, but this one is simply a cut above the other's I've owned. Maybe a few cuts above! It is so natural, woodsy sounding, yet the steel strings ring like a bell. It lacks a tad bit of volume when fingerpicking unless you really get agressive, but it will take agression. It will take all you can give it. But I can see where I am going to have to change strings more often to get a better cut when using fingers only. With a pick, watch out, don't try and slip in a few chords after bedtime cause you will wake the whole family up. This instrument has been the first high dollar guitar I bought that made me say, 'now I know why they pay that much for guitars'. I've played for years and played MANY guitars and this is different. This type of build is what you hear on your favorite recordings/songs. I'd say the only thing that would come close to matching this is a custom built guitar or just another high dollar Martin.

I've had to tweek every instrument I've ever purchased. Not this one! Perfect out of the box, measured close to exactly the way I set them up for me. The strings were a little taught feeling to me at first, but I've been playing a Taylor for a little while and got used to that slap happy string tension design. Now I'm back used to the way a guitar ought to be, and though I have to play it with more agression, it's worth every ounce of the extra energy I put out cause I get a whole lot more back. And really, now that I'm back up to full strength, it's EASY to play. The neck is PERFECT! There is not a hump, a bump, a rise, no frets are too wide, once you wrap your hand around this thing it's a a lot like and expensive glove. It just feels right! I love the short-scale and 1 3/4 sring spacing. Most short-scale guitars, unless you pay a lot of money of just get lucky, are a bit too slap happy and have a nasal sound. Not this thing! It's really hard to explain til you play it, but though you can tell it's a short-scale and take advantage of that, the strings are still taut enough to make some noise and a pick doesn't even begin to break this thing down. The Nitro finish is the best, best looking, best for tone, and in my opinion, more forgiving to little 'uh-ohs'. The Nitro is soft, so if you just ding it a bit it don't crack, rather is just sort of flexes. There may be a mark there, but it won't be through to the wood unless you really just ding it good.

I have to be fair here. I've found that Martins are about a 50/50 gamble when it comes to getting one that will or will not have a problem. You either get one built like a tank or you get one and the bridge or the finish or something falls off. But, to me that's because of the more hands on building process. So it's worth the risk (cause they'll take care of it if it breaks down) because of what you get to hear and play as a result of the more hands on construction process. Those guys are human, but let me say, they know how to build a guitar for sound and playability and if that means that now and then they are gonna put a little less glue than they should, well, I'd rather have too little as too much!!!

Martins are lightweight. Sometimes when you pick them up you think how is this 'balsa wood' gonna make any noise, and you wonder if you are going to drop it. Just pick it up and play it and you'll see why they make them light. I've owned several Martins, and other than my 50/50 analogy, believe me they are durable. This lightweight guitar is as solid as a rock. It's not about the weight, it's about the design.

Like anything these days, customer support, in general, has fallen off. But that goes for anything. There are only so many people that can be there to answer our questions, fix our guitars, and so forth. No, it's not like it used to be where every company lays out the red carpet for their customers, and service in general is a little less personal, but in the end will they honor the warranty and fix your guitar? YES! By all means, and usually if you have a big problem Martin will do something to make it worth your trouble. I've dealt with them and argued and fussed but in the end I have always either gotten my guitar repaired or replaced.

I think I've gabbed enough, made my point. The only thing I would like to add is if this appx. 3000.00 guitar is this nice then I have to wonder what the 10,000.00 Clapton model would sound/play like. I'll just have to wonder, don't even want to pick one up cause I suspect it would blow me away and I know I would want it and I know I can't afford it......LOL. So I won't tempt myself.

I did compare it to other guitars, for about 10 minutes. I compared it to Taylors, Gibsons, and a Larivee. Sorry, but to me Taylors are nice and have their place in this world but it is not with me. I've been down that road, was impressed with the bright Taylor sound, which appeared to be volume but wasn't, and I tried a couple and like most every one else I sold them on Ebay. Maybe it's the type of music I play, maybe I just grew up before Taylors came around, but when people come to the studio and hear my Martins on playback they put their Taylors in the case and ask to borrow mine. Personally, I think Taylor makes an extra nice stage guitar. The Larivee was great, but honestly, the closest thing to this was the Gibson J-45.

Martin Eric Clapton 00028EC; gloss finish(even on the neck), select spruce top, 1 3/4 nut width, Waverly style tuners(they say 'Martin' but must be Waverlys) bought in 2008, but probably made in 2007, no electronics, rosewood back/sides, bone nut and saddle, made in USA. I'm giving it a '9' because they finally have a bone nut/saddle as standard.
Aged toner for top gives vintage look, Nitro finish. Beautifully bookmatched top.
Case included; Deluxe arched top case; I wish it was the green crushed velvet instead of plain brown interior. Clapton signature inlay where neck meet the body; subtle yet OK to have it there. Interior lable w/printed Clapton signature and CFMartin IV

My style is folk and the sound is wonderful, bell-like sustain in tone; smaller body but has a bass presence, but not overly so. Nice trebles and mid-range; very well balanced sound.
I am totally impressed at how the sustain is--tones ring out from this small instrument, and as one who has played many EC models as this, they don't all sound the same. You play chord, set the guitar down, and the tone keeps ringing! It's hard to put this guitar down!

Make sure you find 00028EC with the tone you want, because they don't all sound the same.

Set up was fine; no buzzing. Some kind of thin white line where neck meets the body(only on one side) where the finish didn't get on. For the price I paid, this should not be there, but I bought this for the tone it produced, not for cosmetic perfection! Tuners look just like Waverlys, they just say 'Martin' instead(they must have some kind of deal with Waverly to put 'Martin' on the back. Bone nut and saddle a plus. 1 1/34 nut width makes fingerstyle playing a breeze. Frets very smooth and polished well for playing.

This guitar will withstand live playing. The hardware will last, keeps the guitar in tune. Nitro finish is very thin, but that is part of why it has great tone--but it will ding and scratch easily. I never gig w/o a backup---who want to change a string onstage?
Weight-wise, a very light instrument.

Neck resets will be covered if you are the original owner.

Been playing for 30+ years; own Taylors, Gibsons, Martins. I love the EC's distinctive tone, as I have played Dreadnoughts for most of my life; this is my first 000 size guitar. Other 000's I've played have seemed too 'thin' in sound. This one has tone rich across the sound spectrum. I will put a K&K mini pickup in it soon and use it performing with a LRBaggs paracoustic DI. Wish it were less expensive, but life is short and I went for it, henceforth the '9' rating. Only bought it because of a one-day price break--$3100 as it is now is too high as the current price is.

Features are excellent. The woods used, finish, bracing type are all great.

The sound is unreal. I have played many guitars before buying this one. It took me several months before deciding on this guitar and I don't have one reqret. Each string contributes to the sound that sings to the heart. If you play it you won't want to put it down. It is that good. Try one and you'll see.

Action is great.. I have to tell you though. I ordered this from Martin and the first one that arrived I refused. I had it sent to Guitar Center and when I opened it the finish was terrible. It appeared to need a fine sanding and refinish. I had Guitar Center order me another and the next one that came a few weeks later was impeccable and could not have been better...Inspect carefully before walking out the door with it. It's your money.

This guitar is very durable. Its played for my own enjoyment but do recommend its reliabilty and durability.

I called to ask about fretboard maitenance. Martin representative was nice and helpful. However, I did leave a message for the manager to follow up with a question that the Martin rep. could not answer and the manager never called back

If it were lost or stolen I would buy another. The sound is that good. Every string has something to offer and the sound is very well balanced. No string is to loud or harsh. The guitar sings. If you have the money and enjoy hearing every note sing than this is the guitar. Pick it up and the sound will speak for itself.

This guitar is built great. So so simple. Rosewood back and sides spruce top. You all know the specs. I love open geared tuners

The best sounding acoustic that I have ever came across. I have played Taylors for the last 10 years or more. Sounds better than anything

I bought used so action was set. No flaws. Finish is great aged toner.

I have no idea. It seems pretty well built. Its a Martin for Christ sake.

I called to ask a few questions and they answered on the spot

I will tell you. I bought a 2006 and liked it so much that I just added a 2007 to the collection. Yeah, I own 2 of 'em now. I wish it didn't have the signature. Who cares at the end of the day.

You Guys now all the specs by now. Rosewood body, Spruce top, Mahogony neck, etc. etc. The real kicker about this guitar is the 24.9 inch scale. This makes playing SOOOO Easy. On top of everything else, the guitar is truely gorgeous.

The sound is perfect. Just what I've always wanted my acoustic to sound like. Whether it's fingerpicking ( which is how I play most of the time, ) or flatpicking, it sounds amazing.

This is where this guitar really shines. I can't speak for those of you who already own one, but this guitar is the best playing guitar I've ever played. Mine is, really. I've played others before and since my purchase and none of them played or sounded as good as this one. I've been playing for 34 years so I do have the experience. I believe it was a good week at Martin when mine was built.

Everything on this guitar seems like it was built to last. For the money I paid, it better. More on that later. The Quality of the wood, tuners, construction, everything is top notch. Am I going to bring this to a club, No way. I've got other cheap guitars for that.

This is where it gets interesting. The store I brought it from had 20 Martins. All New. I try to register my NEW Guitar with Martin and they said NO WAY. I had all the original papers. Martin Claims that they were not the dealer that it was sent to. So they will NOT honor the warranty. The dealer has tried unsucessfully to rectify this problem with MArtin. They insist that they are an authorized dealer. Martin told me on the phone that they are not. The point is that I'm the customer that brought a New Martin. I've got the papers. It's not registered to anyone else and Martin won't honor the warranty. So this guitar is not under warranty to anyone. Martin doesn't care.

Overall the guitar is a dream come true as far as an instument goes. I own over 20 guitars myself. From moderately expensive to cheap. This is the most expensive guitar I own. Fenders, Epiphones, Epiphone masterbuilt, Larrivee, Takamine, Gretsch and Harmony to name a few. Will I buy another Martin? I'd have to really think about it. I'd probably go with another brand just because I'm pissed at Martin and they were kind of arrogant on the phone.

http://www.mguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=z&g=d&m=000-28EC
For full features

Lovely looking guitar, gleams, smells beautiful, just longs to be played. Reminds me of a top class classical guitar. John Williams would love this.

I've been playing folk/blues for years, recently on a Polychrome Resonator. The Martin's much too good to be restricted to blues. I've started playing again in modal tunings, and it sounds superb. It handles loud/soft pieces superbly. Lovely rich, full sound.

Action is fantastic. It makes my fingers run with pleasure.

It looks and sounds fantastic. I'd be loath to gig it as it's so expensive, but I would. If Martin Simpson fancies a duet, he can call me now!

Bought it online from Thomann - http://www.thomann.de/gb/index.html?sid=c06d4ab36e7c7ac9b16e7597714c36ff

Very impressed. Bought it at practically cost price.30 day trial period, so no worries.

Been playing since 1966. Have a National polychrome tricone which I love, a Simon & Patrick 12 sting which is ok, a Seagull Mosaic which is very disappointing and a Harley Benton resonator, which is garbage.

2004 Sunburst model with slightly wider modified V neck for fingerpicking. I bought this secondhand in excellent condition from a dealer of top of the range and vintage guitars. Housed in a beautiful Geib harcase with plush green lining.

I play blues and the guitar is perfect for this. It has so much clarity and separation and responds excellently to soft or hard playing. It has good volume for a smaller bodied guitar and a tone to die for. Each time I play it I marvel at the amazing sound that Martin has produced compared to other so called high end guitars. I have owned many guitars over my 40 years playing and I can honestly say this is the best.

The action on most Martins is set too high for fingerpicking but this one had obviously been professionally set up because it need no alteration at all. The build quality is excellent as you would expect and the finish is a beautiful sunburst complemented by the herringbone inlay. I happen to think the signature on the fretboard blends in very well and isn't gawdy at all.
Sometimes I just open the case and look at its beauty.

Obviously it is too soon to know but from the look of it I would think it will last a lifetime.

I emailed customer support to try to find out some history of the guitar and they responded very quickly and professionally.

I have been playing for 40 years and as I previously stated I have owned and played many guitars. It is only now (with the wife's permission) that I have been able to justify paying so much for a guitar. I tried a Martin D42 about 27 years ago which had a profound V neck and I didn't like it so I was a bit aprehensive about the modified V neck adopted for this model. Maybe others didn't like it too hence the modification and Martin have done an excellent job. It is so comfortable and easy to play and I have relatively small hands. This guitar in my opinion is perfection.

2005 model, with case. Indian rosewood body, ebony and mahogany neck, sitka spruce top.

Wow. I compared five 000-28ECs and a Bellezza Nera in four stores to find this one. It had the most dings and scratches, but the wood grain and the TONE was all there. Deep low bass, nice scoop in the mids, fat melody notes, and a body that resonated noticeably more than any of the other Claptons I tried out.

Neck has too much relief and I'm having difficulty finding a truss rod wrench that reaches. May have to take it to a shop to adjust it. The pickguard has none of that dot matrix pattern you see in the newer Clapton's. Action a bit high. Has several dings and scratches, but that's from the store not from Martin.

Can't tell at this point, but the guitar seems reasonably solid. I bought it for studio recording so I'm not too worried about it.

Martin was friendly on the phone. Lifetime warranty.

Playing for 30 years. Also own a Taylor Big Baby, a Fender '62 Vintage reissue strat, Ibanez AF-105F jazz guitar, and an Ibanez RG-540.

I checking back in after owning this guitar for 3.5 years. Refer to my original posting of 6/12/03 for comparison. Label #6500 from late 2002. Features are listed elsewhere and at Martin's website. Mine is still stock and I would not change much except to go with bone for the nut and saddle (especially the saddle).

In the past 3.5 years I have compared my particular axe to many other acoustics and other 000-28EC's. This one just has IT as far as my personal tone perfection goes. A solid 10 then and it has only gotten better over time. Open, big but not boomy bass. Complex, articulate midrange. Clear on top. Mine is not at all bright like an OM. More bell-like. Still my favorite, and the gold standard that I compare all others too.

Replaced the bridge and saddle with bone both for sound and to lower the action which was too high from the factory and to correct a problem with string spacing at the nut. The action is VERY stable and does not change much even between winter dry season and summer humid season here in Ohio. The top has not bellied at all and I don't forsee needing a neck reset for a long-long time. The fretwire is wearing well and it should be another 4-5 years before I need some professional attention here. The 8 rating is after professional set-up work and bone nut & saddle. Not a higher rating because I find the v-neck a little deep for my shorter fingers.

I still would not regularly gig with this guitar, although I have used it for special performances. It has held up very well with the only issue being a minor center seam separation between the bridge and tailblock when I neglected to humidify the guitar during an especially dry winter heating season. When the guitar was rapidly humidified to swell the top prior to regluing some checking of the lacquer occurred between the pickguard and the purfling at the side. It is very minor and kinda adds to the vintage vibe IMHO. Have gotten some minor dings and pick stratches but the guitar is holding up very well. Very well built guitar.

I have not really had any customer support issues with Martin directly. I guess thats a good thing ;-) My local Martin repair facility is kind of hit-or-miss. If they are busy the quality of their work suffers and it takes a long time to get something back. If they are not overly busy the work is great. They did an OK job on my top separation. They reglued the top just fine, and the repair has help up well but they "forced" the humidification and checked the finish to get the job done faster.

Like I said earlier, this is a long-term report. Too many of the reviews here are from folks who have just gotten their guitars and you don't get a feel for how the guitars hold-up over time or how the player's experience changes. I still love the sound and the look of this guitar. I really have only come across several other guitars that sound better (and they were custom builder - very pricey), and few that sound even as good, as this particular guitar. My 000-28EC is interestingly from the same lot as one in which two guitars went to EC himself for the George Harrison tribute concert at Royal Albert Hall and is within 30 serial numbers of the 000-28EC actioned at the Crossroads II Guitar Action at Christies in 6/04. Maybe Martin paid more attention to the build of this lot... I don't know but it is a fantastic guitar.

2004 Model / East Indian Rosewood

It's very versatile guitar, I think it suits a lot of styles. I did have a bone saddle installed, which opened up the guitar even more. Additionally, I have added a K&K Western Mini pickup.

Martin is known to send their guitars out with a somewhat higher action. I had my guitar setup properly by a professional. It was worth the money.

It's a very reliable instrument. However, I don't play live gigs and take care of it like it's a baby.

All I did was registering the guitar.

I'm playing for 40 yrs. I like the looks,feel & sound of this guitar. I compared it with Taylors, but Taylors are somewhat too sweet sounding. I like the darker sound of this guitar.

This is a fantastic guitar with a wider neck, great for fingerpicking, Vintage appointments. It is a fingerpickers dream.
There has already been a lot of other writeups as to its features.

Sound is fantastic. This is a real bright sounding guitar. It resonates. Its sound is different than a dreadnaught. Less bassy,
more mide range. It is a real porch picker bluesy cowboy fingerpicking type guitar.

Set up was perfect. Zero, and I mean Zero flaws.

I would use this guitar at any gig. Its such a great guitar. Fantastic on all counts.

No opinion as of yet. It has lifetime warranty

I've had lots of fine guitars. This is right up there with the best. It is so much better than anything else out there. I've had Gibsons (only recently do the make decent guitars), and others.
This is the best.

Instrument nomenclature: Made the same as all others reviewed so I won't bore anyone with that. I don't know when it was made; I don't really care. Overall it's a very beautiful instrument. I personally love the deep, aged finish of the top; no clue why, really.

I didn't buy it to play with a band just to play alone or with close friends. I don't play a particular style, just songs that I like. The sound is amazing. Deep, resonant and clear. Very few guitars I have ever heard sounded this good. The other 00028-EC's I have played over the years pale by comparison. I wasn't in the market for a new guitar when I bought this one. The guitar sold itself.

Action is a tad high but I understand that is normal for a Martin guitar. Beautifully bookmatched top and the back and sides were dark and rich. I never looked for little tiny flaws so your guess is as good as mine regarding that. To me, it looks great!

Seems very well made and the finish seems very beautiful to me. This guitar cost way too much for me to take it out to some bar or other venue; I play it every day but I doubt I will ever perform with it.

Called em on the phone ... very pleasant. I will be bringing my guitar up to them to ease up on the action a bit. We will see how they are when I get there.

Been playing for over 40 years. If lost or stolen my heart would be broken; it is irreplacable ... don't know if I would even try.

I love the way it sounds, I love the way it feels, and I love the way it looks. I can't find any real complaint. As I said I wasn't looking for a guitar when I came across this one. Something about it called to me and the next thing I knew I was at the checkout counter with axe in hand.

Criticism: Why use imitation Waverly tuners when the real things are available? For the price I paid they should have been the genuine thing. But, maybe the ones provided are just as good, who knows? I sure don't! In any event they work just fine so this is not really a legitimate criticism.

Thought to share: I wish it weren't an Eric Clapton model or that he'd placed his autograph somewhere it can't be seen unless you want to show it. I don't like the idea of being a walking billboard. Eric should be bigger than that; others have been.

It didn't stop me from buying the guitar but it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Still, it's a GREAT guitar!

I bought this second-hand from a collector who was cleaning up his inventory. This is a late 1995 model, placing it about 9 years old. The bridge was replaced by the seller with bone. The guitar has obviosly been well-cared for, with only a few minor "love-marks". I like the overall look of the guitar but agree with some other reviewers that the signature on the fretboard is a little gawdy. Overall, however, the guitar is not overly fancy in appearance, which for me was a plus. No pickup installed. Not too many frills besides being extremely well built. The woods that were selected are better than those that you'll find on the similar 000-28.

I play fingerstyle guitar. Blues, alternative, folk, indie. This is not a strumming machine, although it doesn't sound bad with a pick. It's just that there are better guitars for strumming out the rhythm section. I played about 50 high-end ($1200+) guitars in search of "the one" guitar, in one sitting at a local shop. If you are considering buying this guitar, you should compare it to a Taylor 514ce, which has a pickup in it, and is a little cheaper. Make sure that the extra sound you get from a Martin is worth it to you. It was to me, but sound is pretty subjective. The sound is very well rounded. I compared it to the aforementioned Taylor and really thought long and hard about it. The Taylor has a more bright sound that maybe better for live performance, whereas the 000-28ec has a more nuanced mid-range.

Bought 2nd hand, so I don't know how it was set up at the factory. Get light gauge 80/20s on it and it sings. There appears to be some small finish separation occurring at the neck, but the finish hasn't cracked...plus guitars are meant to be played. The action is a fingerstylists dream, but again, I didn't get this from the factory and it likely has been professionally set up since 1995. The frets are perfect and the ebony fingerboard both add to the playability. The neck is V-shaped and helps if you have big hands like me. I personally like the 000 body for long sessions. Dreadnoughts can get tiring.

I wouldn't ever gig with this. I think guitars are meant for playing, but this guitar is not really a good live instrument for most of us. For one, it's too expensive to risk some drunk spilling his beer on while asking you to play freebird. Secondly, no pickup and the small body size means miking it--there are better alternatives for gigging.
It is a durable instrument. It's lasted 9 years with proper care. And it's aged brilliantly. As long as you properly humidify and store your Martin, it will not only last long enough for your grandchildren to pass it on, but it's value will increase as well.
It's a great studio instrument and Martins are Martins. They're worth every penny.

Haven't ever used them.

My best guitar. Seasoned guitarists can be found drooling over this guitar at your local music store. If I ever lost it, I'd cry. If it were ever stolen, I'd buy a gun instead of the guitar and use the money to hire a lawyer for my insanity defense. I compared this to a crapload of guitars and for fingerstyle, you're gonna have to pay an extra grand to top this guitar. I mean, Brazilian Rosewood would be required to sound better. The best comparisons to AB this guitar against are the Taylor 514 and the Martin OM28V guitars. Both are comparably priced and sound close enough that you can decide for yourself which of the three toots your horn. After a month of playing my 000-28ec, I doubt if either of the other guitars would have been a better choice. I would go ahead and upgrade the bridge and maybe even the bridge pins. But the tone is amazing. Tone mongers beware: If you pick this instrument up, GAS will strike you down where you stand and you'll end up dipping into your 401K to make room for your newest obsession. I rate it a 9 because there are those sickeningly amazing sounds that come out of Collings and Santa Cruz guitars.

2004 model. Bought brand new. 000 size solid rosewood body, solid spruce top, ebony fboard with 'diamond' inlays, V-shaped neck. Eric Clapton signature inlaid at 20th fret. Very elegant butterbean tuners. Martin hardshell Geib case with plush green interior lining. Not exactly loads of features but what do you expect from a staightforward handmade acoustic? 500 amp models and effects????

I've had this this guitar for over a month now and wanted to wait before posting a review out of 'new guitar infatuation'. Well what can I say.....one month on and still infatuated!!!! This has to be one of Martin's best sounding guitars. I mainly play fingerstyle blues and rock, both fingerstyle and with a flatpick. This guitar responds amazingly to my playing style. It has an extremely well-balanced sound and resonates like hell!!! What I really love about this guitar is the way it articulates each and every note and the dynamics of your playing. When being aggressive the notes really snap off the fingerboard. Unlike many acoustics the sound does not get mushy when played hard but each note rings out with a toothy clarity. When playing softly it really reponds well and sings out each note tenderly with beautiful sustain and warmth. The rosewood body really adds richness to the overall tone. People always say these are fingerpickers guitars and they are obviously perfect for that. But what I found great with the 000-28ec was the way it responds to strumming and rhythm playing as well. The shorter, Gibson-like scale-length makes it a joy to strum and it sounds great with chords. It is not as loud as some other acoustics but the tone is unsurpassable for me.

Straight out of the factory the guitar was set up very well. Medium action, no buzzing....just TONE! The woods certainly seem to be of very high quality. All dead straight grain and clean looking. No flaws. EC signature at the 20th fret is very tastefully done. The top of the guitar has a honey/tan-coloured vintage toner applied. This does a good job of making the guitar look like a genuine vintage martin from the 1930s/40s rather than a brand new white top. Ebony fingerboard has a very smooth feel as well. I find the V-profile of the neck very comfortable and easy to play.

Seems extremely well built so I expect it to last a lifetime. You can feel it is a solid guitar as soon as you hold it.

Guitar is under warranty. Have emailed Martin just to get some information and they responded very quickly and were polite and helpful.

I've been playing for 13 years now and this is the best sounding acoustic I've heard or played. I have been shifting between Gibsons and Martins before (Hummingbird, D28, J-200) but I know I'm going to settle on this one. I was lucky and got a keeper but with acoustics it is essential to try as many of the same model as possible. I tried other 000-28ec's in different shops before going for this one and they all sounded different. This one really stood out. I was also thinking of going for a OM-28V but the Clapton just seemed to have a more comfortable feel, bluesier tone, and looks amazing. Although I am a massive Clapton fan I am hesitant of buying guitars with signatures on them as I feel you can subconciuosly get too hung up on trying to play like someone else rather than developing your own style. The signature is inlaid so tastefully on the 000-28ec though that it often goes unnoticed. At the end of the day though, with a guitar that sounds so good, who cares about signatures. And if I've got to have a famous signature on my guitar, wouldn't choose anyone else. With a guitar of this calibre, I can't wait for the sound to mature and open out even more as years of playing go by.

It is small and so comfortable to play, while retaining all the best sound qualities of a jumbo-size guitar. The v-shaped neck feels great. The thing that would make this category a 10 would be the inclusion of a pickup. The case is the best I have seen.

The finish is beautiful. Everything about it says "top shelf." I have a Larrivee, which is stunning with its exotic body woods and wood binding and silver inlays, but this is just as beautiful in a different way. I wouldn't want it to be flashy.

I currently own about twenty high-quality, American-made guitars. I have a Larrivee that was the best-sounding guitar I had heard. The EC is neck-and-neck with it soundwise, but is more comfortable to play because of its smaller body. I have always been more a fan of the Martins and Martin-style guitars (like Larrivee), than the Gibsons. I own a Gibson Emmylou Harris, have owned a Hummingbird, and have played plenty of J-200's, but they just don't please my ear like the Martins do.

I have not recorded with this guitar yet, so I can't comment on its recorded sound. I won't hesitate to do it when the time comes, though.

It was set up well, but if you are going to pay $2k for a guitar, why would you not spend the extra $25 to $75 to have it professionally set up? The fit and finish are flawless, like every Martin I have seen.

The EC stays in tune very well. It is very solid and sturdy...but I own one of those Martin Cowboy guitars that is made entirely out of compressed woods--Man, that thing is indestructible (you can leave it out on a stand with babies in the house and not worry about it), so _that's_ the new "10" for me in _this_ category. I believe Martin could make a guitar out of grass clippings, and it would be exceptional. (I suppose the Rainsong graphite guitars would be super-durable as well.)

Have not needed it.

I think of it as "a guitar for life," meaning that while I will probably buy more as a result of Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, if I were reduced to just this as my sole acoustic, I would be absolutely fine.

Martin 00028ec. go to martin.com to get list of features

The sound on this guitar is like no other. The sound that is portrayed by this guitar is one you would expect from a dreadnought withouth the exessive boomy bass. The tone is very balanced. Every note that is played is a step farther into my love for this guitar. Because of the scalloped bracing you are able to get a more open tone instead of a kinda boxy kind os ring to the notes. I couldn't ask for much more.

action was what I expect from the factory. For some it might be to harsh but for me it is fine. THe fit is perfect. I was looking for a nice small bodied guitar that I would be able to relax and play. So now I can have a nice sounding guitar without it taking over my body. Now I look good playing to the girl so that I can really benifit from this investment. Just kidding sord of. THe finish is awsome in my opinion. some people don't like the vintage toner. I personally love it.

N/a

N/a

I really love this guitar. It is the kind of guitar that I could play for the rest of my life. It's not a guitar that sits in the corner and is pulled out once in a while. It sounds, fits, looks, feels perfect. This is only my opinion though. Others might think differently. For those people out there. You can eat a fart!!!! once again I am kidding. I know my statements sound stupid but they are very sincere. "So I'll check the weather wherever you are, so I can know if you can see the stars tonight"

2004 model, just got it yesterday. When I examined it closely, I discoverd that the pattern on the pickgaurd is heavily pixillated. In other words, the tortoise pickguard is clumsily faked. Not what I expected from a guitar of this price. Everything else so far appears to be up to snuff.

This istrument sounds magnificant. Understand, of course, that it isn't a dreadnaught, but fingerpicking comes out bright and clear, with a surprising amount of bass for a small-bodied instrument. Noticably better than the OM-sized Bluerige I've been playing lately.

No flaws whatsoever that I can find, other than the silkscreened pickguard, and how many people would notice that? Everyone who shells out this kind of money, I would hope.

It's extremely well made, and should last a lifetime, if kept properly humidified in dry weather. The scalloped braces make it a might less solid than the "standard" line, but that's a compromise you make for glorious sond.

Mever had to deal with them.

Maybe I'm obsessive, but that junior-grade pickguard bothers me. Other than that, it's a wonderful instrument, I've been playing guitar for 35 years now, and I haven't played one that sounded better.

Just got a 2004 000-28EC, totally standard as described above over and over again.

I had an OM-28V, liked it but did not like the scale length ( most of my other guitars were shorter scale ), and also I thought it lacked a bit of warmth and feel so it was sold. I always thought though that if only there was a short scale version then I would really like it.

I knew the 000-28EC fitted the bill but I could not bring myself to buy an acoustic with Eric Clapton's signature on it !!

But, one day, in pursuit of an old Martin I found myself being offered one to play in a store and instantly all my prejudices went away - it was just soooo good in feel and sound - I had to have it !

The neck is the same as on the OM-28V I used to have except shorter and its jsut perfect ! The sound is warmer and there is slightly less tension in the strings making it easier to bend etc without dropping a guage in string size.

The toner is a bit too much, possibly a bit too orange really but it looks great and shows off the fine silking on the top to great effect.

I like the jet black fingerboard and the simple but visually attractive diamonds and squares.

The tuners are functional if not absolutely fantastic, will probably replace them with Waverley's and, of course, the nut and saddle MUST be replaced with bone ones.

A point deducted for tuners and nut and saddle.

Definitely 10. Its the classic Martin sound, deep and warm, not perfect for everything but distinct and warm and unmistakably a Martin, most definitely not an overbright Taylor!

Loud, responsive, balanced, sweet, great for fingerstyle and responds well to a pick when the occasion demands, a fantastic all-rounder.

I always want to lower the action on new guitars anyway, but it arrived a little high, but not too bad, might well be to the taste of a lot of people so although a bit high for my personal taste it was well within acceptable limits so can't criticize that.

Anyway,with a drop in saddle, lowering the action is not the issue it was with an OM-28V with the glued in long saddle.

No flaws anywhere, all binding, purfling etc in perfect shape, internal bracing all clean, extremely neat, neck angle perfect, intonation fine, nothing lose. Beautiful top, back and sides attractive, finish perfect everywhere.

Its a very light guitar but I have no doubt it is durable and reliable etc, but I like it way tooo much to consider taking out to a gig anywhere.

n/a

Been playing 35+ years, lots of acoustics, this is probably the second best acoustic I have ever had, nothing yet beats my Northworthy on pure sound. Nevertheless, it oozes magic and tone and I love it.

Mine is a '97 & is numbered #997. Beautiful Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce with a warm aging toner in the lacquer. In the style of Clapton's '30's original, it features ebony board and bridge, herringbone purfling, and 24.9" scale. To my eyes it has a nice vintage aura & I love the look of it & don't mind the Clapton sig. too much.

This is what it's all about isn't it? The minute I picked this baby up in the store & strummed the 1st chord, I knew it had "the" sound. I even tried a bunch of older vintage Martins & some Santa Cruz guitars that the owner of the store suggested but none had the tone of this guitar. I basically fell in love & came back the next day with my Gibson ES165 as a trade in ( hated to do that but I didn't have enough cash) & went home very happily.
I also own a Taylor 514CE & although it's a very nice guitar, when I compared the 2, the Martin put it to shame. I won't go into much detail because much has already been said here & obviously not every 000-28EC is going to have the killer tone mine has ( in fact I played a brand new one that wasn't close to this '97!) For me tho' I feel like I've found my tone-monster.

The setup wasn't bad. A little stiff maybe & I may switch to lighter strings down the road but don't want to sacrifice tone. No flaws at all & for a 7 year old guitar it looks brand new. Someday I might have to replace the tuners but for now they're fine.

I wouldn't take this guitar to a punk & metal gig but that's not what it's made for anyway so yeah, I'd play it live. Probably bring the Taylor for a backup tho'.

Not needed & hope I never do.

I've been playing close to 40 years ( thank you Beatles!) & spent the 70's & half the 80's on the road with a Canadian hard rock band.
Regetably sold a lot of gear over the years but still have a '74 Strat, '75 Gibson Flying V, a '95 California Strat( with hotrails), a '70's Gibson bass as well as the Taylor, a 12 string Tak, an old japmade classical, Mexican Strat, Protone Fender Telly & a cool Samick archtop but the Martin has quickly become my favourite ( along with the '95 strat which is my workhorse).
I love pretty much everything about it ( except the pricetag but you get what you pay for most of the time).
If (heaven forbid!) I lost it, I'd sure be looking for another one but it would be hard to find one with the sound of this baby.

I just bought a Martin 000-28ECL lefty from ebay at $1600. I had the chance to compare it to a Martin 000-42EC. While the 000-28EC has a very balanced, intimate and resonant tone, the 000-42EC has a magic sound from other world. So the difference is REAL, not only in the price and materials but in the sound. (Of course $1600 vs. $6800).
I compared 10 different models of Martin, I was looking for a intimate and delicate sound, and found it to be the winner. It also has a very bluesy sound.
In features I would have to add that I read an interesting review basically saing that micarta is a good material for kitchen appliences and Corian is good for kitchen top tables, why Martin is using these materials for saddle and nut in a supposingly $3899 guitar??

I just bought a Martin 000-28ECL lefty from ebay at $1600. I had the chance to compare it to a Martin 000-42EC. While the 000-28EC has a very balanced, intimate and resonant tone, the 000-42EC has a magic sound from other world. So the difference is REAL, not only in the price and materials but in the sound. (Of course $1600 vs. $6800).
I compared 10 different models of Martin, I was looking for a intimate and delicate sound, and found it to be the winner. It also has a very bluesy sound.

Excellent neck and fingerboard. I have been playing with a fernandes strato for the past 10 years, I found the Martin to be as easy to play as a stato...in deed...
The frets are very different from the 000-42ec and 000-42ECB. These guitars are a little easy to play, and the frets produce more vibrato.

no idea

no idea,but if Martin really support their products...why Martin has this "original owner" policy?...I mean ...the product is still made by Martin, even tought the owner is different??

Overall is a very good guitar. I think everybody should try a 000 before buying a dreadnought. Period.

My EC is a 2002, with all the features that have been named previously. The four things I dislike and would change: I'd get rid of the signature at the fifth fret, replace the tuners with Waverly's, include a bone saddle and nut, and forego the vintage toner. These are fairly minor features, but otherwise it's just the way I would have designed it. I especially favor those tradtional appointments like the square and diamond inlays. I've since added a K & K Western pickup, and it sounds great, but I still always mic it if I have the option.

I play mostly fingerstyle blues, folk, and ragtime. I bought this guitar because I was looking for the sound I heard in a friend's 000-28 several years ago, and it had the same clear, ringing tone, with some dark, bluesy undertones, even for a new guitar. The tone is perfect for the style of music I play. I played 10 or so other acoustic guitars looking for this one, including three other EC's, and when I picked it up and played it, it jumped out at me and said "I'm the one!" I've had it for nearly a year, and it's starting to open up nicely, even though it had a pretty strong voice to begin with.

Factory action was a little high, but I've sinced replaced the saddle with bone and lowered the action to fit my playing style. Now it's perfect. The top has some beautiful silking. No noticeable flaws from the factory--fine workmanship. The width and v-shape of the neck sold me as much as the tone. This is a great guitar for fingerstyle playing.

I've been gigging with this guitar regulary for nearly a year, and it's aging well and stands up to hard use, except that the frets are showing some wear a lot earlier than I expected, and it'll need a fret dress soon. Don't know what alloy Martin uses for frets on this guitar, or their reasons, but I'd expect them to hold up a little better than they have.

This guitar came with a life-time warranty--I haven't had to use it yet and don't expect to unless it's for a neck reset way down the road. Sandy was helpful via e-mail to register the guitar. For any kind of repair or warranty work, I'd use my local Martin warranty repair person since he's worked on other guitars I've owned.

Been playing for 35 years or so. I've had this guitar for almost a year now, so that's probably long enough to write a fair evaluation. I was able to play lots of guitars, play this one in the store, and ask lots of questions This is the nicest guitar I've owned. I'd definitely replace it if something happened to it. I actually bought it to replace a Taylor 510 that I had for 18 years (UPS finally came through with the insurance money, but that's another sad story). I compared it to a Santa Cruz OM (used to have one; EC had the same clarity with more bass and complexity, and a more comfortable neck), other EC's, Taylors (no models with a tone close to the EC's), and a 000-18 (neck was too small, and a sound too different from the EC to compare it). I love this guitar for its neck size/shape/action and for its tone. Most all the appointments, too, except for the changes I mentioned above. I have a 000-28VS and an OM-18V, both great guitars, (and distinctly different sounds than the EC), but the one I play most is the 000-28EC. I haven't owned the other two long enough to write a fair review yet.

It is the same set of features described in detail by the other reviewers of the 000-28EC. I'm not crazy about the butter bean tuners, but basically they work.

It bought this 1999/2000 000-28EC used, after auditioning it with new strings, because of fond memories. My favorite guitars were a mid-30's 000-18 that I owned for several years and a mid-30's 000-28 that I had on loan for about 3 months--all back in the early to middle 60's. That old 000-28 has always been my gold standard reference--the sweetest guitar I can remember, and I can even remember the 1960's!

The short scale and 1 3/4" width are wonderful (I had forgot about the wider neck and wondered why newer 000-??"s didn't feel the same to me). Used mostly for blues, folk/folk rock, and music written for lute and vihuela. Beautiful balanced tone, extremely clear, rings forever. Not for the dreadnaught folks, I expect--this is a fingerstylists dream. This is probably as good a guitar as I've ever owned over the last 40 years and I've owned many, including a few really nice ones.

If you know and love the sound and feel of 30's 000-28's, and if you happen across an 'EC' like the one I got, you will probably know what to do (offer the wife anything, snivel, grovel, etc.). Definitely play before you pay, but this is just one wonderful sounding quality instrument.

Mine was used, no flaws. The luthier waxed eloquent about the quality of the woods and workmanship. Subtle flame on the sitka spruce top, extremely fine-grained and matched rosewood sides and back, best set up on a Martin that I've ever encountered (except that old 000-28....).

The guitar is mint and shows no flaws or defects. It will probably outlast me by quite a spell, I want my granddaughter to have it someday. It tunes up and stays tuned (except some weather changes seem to affect these tuners more than others. The neck is true, EADGBE on the 12th fret are just an octave higher than on the open strings. I wouldn't play gigs with this (my old 000-18 was stolen, may the thief's soul burn in hell, so I do remember some lessons of the 60's)--but it is very well built, the craftsmanship is very high.

Don't know, but I wish they could tell the name of whoever owns my old 000-18 so I could make their legs bend funny.

I started play banjo in 1960, guitar in 1961-you do the math, I don't like working with large numbers(?). If lost, I'd want to replace it with its clone. Of course I'd settle for a 1930's version with Brazilian rosewood instead, but only because I'm so agreeable and easy to deal with.

The neck characteristics and the sound make this a guitar to die for (hopefully some else, otherwise I can't play it any more). You know by now very well why I chose this--if your tastes are similar you should have a similar experience.

I wish this guitar came with a beautiful 20 year old woman with a desire to please, bad eyes, and poor taste in older men. After all, if you pay list, it's not exactly cheap.

1997 model, nice V neck, ebony bridge and fingerboard. If you're looking at this you probably know all the other features.

You can play any style on this guitar and it shines ! It has the most even sound spectrum of any guitar I've played. I've been playing for over 30 years and played alot of guitars in my time and this one is one of the best !

The action was a little stiff when I got it so I had to lower the nut and saddle a little but after that it played like a dream with no buzzes etc. No flaws on this guitar, infact it looked like it had never been played.

It's a Martin !

Martin's been around a while and I've never had a bad experience.

I would buy another if this one ever walked out on me. Very inspiring to play this instrument !

This is a 1996, #862, made in USA. Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides, mahogany "V" neck, and much more of a "V" than what i have been seeing in the last couple of years of production of this model. The finish is flawless, the whole guitar is a joy to look at, play, and listen to. the case is very nice, one of those "geib" type deals. Well, if great craftsmanship, superior build, quality, wood and finish are features, then this one is a 10!
I could do without Clapton's signature on the fretboard, but whatever...it's kind of self serving.

It sounds fantastic. The fretboard is relatively flat, so lead playing is enhanced. The ebony board is great, the frets are just perfect. The "V" neck is to die for!! The most comfortable neck i have ever played!!! The body size is very comfortable to hold. Quite a lot of sound comes out of this small body!! Great projection.
I bought it for the sound quality and ease of playing. I bought it used, although it was in better shape than some guitars in stores! Not a scratch on it.

I dont know about the factory set up, but it was fine when i got it. The aged toner used on the top gives it a beautiful patina. The rosewood back and sides are of very high grain quality. The only mishap was one of the tuners fell off when i changed the strings, and thats what you get when they try to preserve the "vintage" feel. The tuners are not that great! But i am not changing them.

I can stand up to live playing, just be careful with it.

Nope

Been playing a long time. Own a lot of guitars. Acoustics are mostly Martin and Gibson. If lost or stolen, i would wait for the opportunity of getting another used one. They are almost $4000.00 new plus 15% tax here in Canada, and guess what? I am not paying that!!!
I looked at the OM-28V and 000-28V and preferred the EC for it's appointments, and it just seemed to project better to my ears, anyway.

2002 OOO-28EC- I bought this (barely) used. Sitka spruce top (nicely matched, tight grain, honey-toned to give it a vintage look). Ebony fingerboard; 24.9" scale neck, V-shaped; 1-3/4" at the nut; open Waverly tuners. The only "modern" thing about this guitar is the adjustable truss rod (thank you, Martin!). Body is Indian Rosewood. Herringbone purfling. Ebony bridge. Geib-style case. This guitar is beautifully built, with a flawless finish, good woods, perfect(and I mean perfect!)action for fingerstyle and combo pick & fingers style.

I own a '79 or '80 Martin D-25K, which is bright, boomy, and loud. The OOO-28EC has a much more balanced and focused sound, smooth and almost "buttery" compared to the Dreadnaught. There is no bass boom, as in a Dreadnaught (obviously because of the smaller body). The EC is absolutely great for bluesy stuff, closed chords, etc. It's intonation is dead-on all the way up (I paid a lot of money to a luthier to correctly compensate the 25K for good intonation). The Dreadnaught is hard to record, but the EC is a snap, and I can minimize the use of compression.

Since this guitar was used, I don't know how well the factory set it up. However, it's as near to perfect as anything I've ever played. Action is low for a Martin but no buzzes -and I have a fairly heavy right hand attack. The V-neck is very comfortable (another reviewer said you'd never want another kind of neck after this, and he/she's right!). The finish is high-gloss for a "vintage" look & feel, no flaws anywhere.

I've gigged with the D-25K for a long time, and it still looks and plays great (although I had the neck reset for it's 20th birthday), even with the relatively soft Koa back and sides. So I can't think that the rosewood EC will be anything but even more resilient to bumps and scrapes that inervitably happen with use. Even though this is a small guitar, there's nothing "dainty" about it- it's got that Martin quality that is the standard for steel string acoustics. That having been said, I'll probably keep this one at home; there are no electronics in it (I installed an LR Baggs 'Double Barrel' setup into the D25K), and there isn't a strap button on the heel of the neck of the EC. But I'm leaving it alone, and will use the Dreadnaught for live work, keeping the EC for recording.

I've never had to call Martin about anything, so I wouldn't know! Maybe I'll give 'em a try, just for kicks!

I've been playing for 40 years. In addition to the D25K already mentioned, I have a Taylor 12-string and a Nat'l Steel O-style. I have a couple of "mutant" telecasters, a couple of early 60's Gibson electrics. I primarily play blues/rock, and country/western. I looked a long time for a second 6-string acoustic, and checked out other Martin models, Taylors, Collings, and even a Santa Cruz or two. The Taylors just seem too flacid to me- I like more wood on the neck and a little more tension on the strings. Some of the newer Martins are nice, but I prefer the "old fashioned" hi-gloss finish of the EC to the newer satin finishes- just feels better! Collings and SC's are great guitars! But I ended up wanting another Martin, since the first one has been so great.

Favorite feature: the neck!

If lost or stolen, I'd definitely get another one.

Built in 2002, paper tag series #6500. Purchased in 3/03, have been playing it for about 3 months now. Standard features for the basic Clapton model, 000 body size, 28 appointments, spruce top, rosewood sides and back, V neck shape. In my opinion a nice balanced package of excellent woods and tastefully restrained embellishments in the herringbone trim and MOP inlays. My only knocks on the features are the tuners which are Gotoh imitations of Waverley butterbean vintage tuners and while they work well, they show casting impression marks on the sides which look rather cheesy on an otherwise great guitar. I would also have preferred bone for the nut instead of Corian, but more on that later.

The sound of my particular guitar is fantastic. It is a joy to pick this baby up and play. It has a unique, "balanced" sound. The bass is full but not boomy or muddy. The high notes are nice and clear with lot of ring to the note. In the middle register this guitar just sings. I have never played an acoustic that has as much sustain as this one does. It is almost electric like in that regard. It is not overly loud, but that is a characteristic of the body size. I have not added a pickup to it but I think it would sound great amplified. Different strings have a big impact on the sound of this guitar. I am still experimenting to find the ones I like best. Overall, I cant say enough about the sound of this guitar, it is great and just improves the more I play it.

Here I was a little disappointed by Martin. The action was set up very high from the factory. Thats OK, because some like it high some low and it easier to remove material from the saddle than add it back on. A trip to the nearby Martin authorized repair agent(Lays in Akron OH)for adjustment of the action and installation of a strap button. Described to the Luthier how I wanted the action setup. Picked up the guitar and it was perfect, I mean PERFECT. No buzz, easy even low action from string 1 to 6. A good tech can really make a great guitar just perfect. When I asked how much I owed them for the work, they replied, "six dollars for the strap button". Everything else was covered by Martin under warranty. Now a flaw in Martin's construction was evident. When they cut the grooves in the nut, they were just slightly off center shifted to the high E string side so that when playing certain chords in the open position the high E was muted by the ball of my index finger. Another trip to my friends at Lay's to have them replace the nut with one made from bone, and now this guitar is setup just as I need it to be. Because I had them replace it with bone, it was not covered under warranty, which is OK, even if Martin had not mad an error in cutting the grooves, I would have eventually replaced the nut with bone anyway.
Everything else, the frets, inlays, binding, finish was very well done.

I think this is a solid, well built guitar that should stand up well to home playing. I would not take a guitar of this quality out to a live gig for fear of it being damaged or stolen. My guitar seems very stable. I keep it in the hardshell case, and it requires only minor tweaks to keep it in tune. Most days I pick it up and it does not need any tuning at all. The action has not moved at all which indicated that the neck is very stable too.

My customer support experience has been good. I was told when I purchased the guitar that Martin would have really good customer service and that is what I have found to be true. See my comments above for more details.

I have been playing for 30 years. Started out playing electric blues roots rock (Cream, Clapton, Allman Bros, Hendrix, Rolling Stones, etc..) and have mellowed with age to where I play primarily acoustic blues , blues/rock, and fingerstyle stuff like Steve Stills & Dylan. This is why I picked up this particular model guitar. It fills the bill. Other equipment I have owned over the years include Gibson Melodymaker (SG body), Les Paul Custom, ES-330, Yamaha dreadnought acoustic, Fender Telecaster, Carvin custom electric with Seymour Duncan humbuckers, Fender tweed Deluxe amp. If this guitar where lost or stolen I would shop around and replace it and pray to God I could find one that sounded as good and fit me as well. The next things I will do the this guitar are replace the tuners with Waverleys and install fossil ivory bridge pins (not because it needs it, just because it will make the guitar more personal to me).

This is a smaller bodied Martin 000 size. It is the Eric Clapton Signature model. This one is a special order sunburst finish. Looks great, but looks aren't everything, are they?

The guitar has a smaller, but more punchy sound than a Dreadnought size guitar. I have a very nice 23 year old Australian Maton CW-80 for that role. Very nice.
The 000-28EC has a clear resonant tone. I like it....but...

The finish is very nice.
But the action and fit ... well this is where the story starts to go a little sour. The action is very high, and was so when I bought it brand new 15 months ago. As I quite like a high action on all my acoustics and electrics, it didn't worry me much.
As it turns out there is a hump in the neck where it joins the body which I didn't see in the shop until I took it to my favourite luthier for a set up. "The neck needs a reset. No problem though, it is under warranty". Right? Wrong!
Martin has steadfastly refused to honour the warranty. More on this later.
A score of 2 for the finish, everything else is a zero

I would not take this guitar to a gig. My Maton has not let me down once it 20 years, but something in the Martin has caused its neck to be unstable. Is it manufacturing? Is it travel? Who knows, but from here on it stays at home.

I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MARTIN AGAIN IN MY LIFE!!
You will see many positive Customer service feedback results from reviewers. The truth is, it is easy to give good customer service if the customer asks questions like "what wood is my guitar made of" or "what colors do they come in". However, the real back bone of Customer Service is how a company deals with a REAL PROBLEM. That's when their true colors come out. Now, take a look at the reviews where Martin owners had real problems, and you'll see why I will never buy another Martin again.
What you do is up to you, but once mauled, twice shy. Martin have treated me with arrogance and have stubbornly refused to repair the neck. THIS GUITAR IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A LIFE-TIME WARRANTY!! What a joke! They wouldn't even honor a manufacturing fault on a new instrument.
I am not sure what happened with Martin, but somewhere over the years they lost their way with customer service. I wonder how Christian Frederick would react if he knew his customers were being treated this way.
I have been playing for 30 years and own 14 delicious guitars but I have never resented buying a guitar like I have with this Martin.
Good luck if you live in the USA, which is where I bought my "bentwood" Martin, but if you live elsewhere, you're on your own. I was told by Martin's Customer Service that after the salesperson from Manny's (very professional and caring place) told me that my guitar had a lifetime warranty I should have referred to the "Care and Feeding Manual" where apparently it tells the buyer to suck eggs if you live outside the USA. I might have thought of opening the booklet if it was called the "Care Feeding and Warranty Loop-hole" manual.
As I say, do what you want to do when it comes to handing over a LOT of hard earned money. This is my experience and I can't see why they would treat the next guy with any more dignity or respect than me. After a dozen emails and several phone calls, I still own a brand new bentwood neck Martin. Maybe I can hang it on a wall. It still looks beautiful.

I have been playing for 30 years and mainly play electrics. The acoustics are manily used for recording.
There is no point in owners gushing over their latest purchases in Harmony Central to justify their actions.In these reviews I call 'em as I see 'em, which is what you want in a review forum like this. I believe Lindy Fralin makes my electrics sound luscious. I believe my Fender Bassman sounds nearly as good as my JTM45. And I believe I will never buy a Martin again.

This is a smaller bodied Martin 000 size. It is the Eric Clapton Signature model. This one is a special order sunburst finish. Looks great.

The guitar has a smaller, but more punchy sound than a Dreadnought size guitar. I have a very nice 20 year old Australian Maton CW-80 for that role. Very nice.

The 000-28EC has a clear resonant tone. I like it....but...

The finish is very nice.

But the action and fit ... well this is where the story starts to go a little sour. The action is very high, and was so when I bought it brand new 15 months ago. As I quite like a high action on all my acoustics and electrics, it didn't worry me much.

As it turns out there is a hump in the neck where it joins the body which I didn't see in the shop until I took it to my favourite luthier for a set up. "The neck needs a reset. No problem though, it is under warranty". Right? Wrong!

Martin has steadfastly refused to honour the warranty. More on this later.

I would not take this guitar to a gig. My Aussie Maton has not let me down once it 20 years, but something in the Martin has caused its neck to be unstable. Is it manufacturing? Is it travel? Who knows, but from here on it stays at home.

I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MARTIN AGAIN IN MY LIFE!!
What you do is up to you, but once mauled, twice shy. Martin have treated me with arrogance and have stubbornly refused to repair the neck. THIS GUITAR IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A LIFE-TIME WARRANTY!! What a joke! They wouldn't even honour a manufacturing fault on a new instrument.

I have been playing for 30 years and own 14 delicious guitars but I have never resented buying a guitar like I have with this Martin.

Good luck if you live in the USA, which is where I bought my "bentwood" Martin, but if you live elsewhere, you're on your own. I was told by Martin's Customer Service that after the salesperson told me that my guitar had a lifetime warranty I should have referred to the "Care and Feeding Manual" where apparently it tells the buyer to suck eggs if you live outside the USA. I might have thought of opening the booklet if it was called the "Care Feeding and Warranty Loop-hole" manual.

As I say, do what you want to do when it comes to handing over a LOT of hard earned money. This is my experience and I can't see why they would treat the next guy with any more dignity or respect than me. After a dozen emails and several phone calls, I still own a brand new bentwood neck Martin. Maybe I can hang it on a wall. I still looks nice.

I have been playing for 30 years and mainly play electrics. I call 'em as I see 'em, which is what you want in a review forum like this. I believe Lindy Fralin makes my electrics sound luscious. I believe my Fender Bassman sounds nearly as good as my JTM45. And I believe I will never buy a Martin again.

Features have already been described by others below, although some people don't seem to understand that what they bought is a guitar modeled on a Martin made in the early 1930's, which is why the neck is shaped the way it is, NOT because EC designed it.

A few years ago I traded my Collings OM2 because I became unhappy with the sound. I got a new sunburst OM-42 that, while well made and beautiful to look at, didn't get it either. I knew for sure when I brought home a new OM-21 and compared them. The 21 was louder and had more pronounced highs and lows. Still, the sound I wanted was based in part on an old Stahl parlor guitar I had that was made in the '30s.

This EC Indian rosewood model already sounds old. It's got tone right now, brand new: the lows are deep and yet transparent, and you can really tell (on any acoustic) by listening to the B string ring. I would never have started out to buy this (don't like aged toner tops) but I have gotten frustrated at spending $$$ for something that either is SUPPOSED to sound good (Collings) or LOOKS good (a sunburst OM-42). The truth is, when judging acoustics, its all in the sound and feel. One should be led blindfolded into the store to search.

One last note here. I found a good one, and I was lucky. They don't all sound like this. You have to really go through a pile to find a good one. Not all "vintage" acoustics sound good either. Same thing.

The nut was poorly cut but will soon be replaced with bone. Corian belongs on counter tops in your kitchen and micarta (saddle) belongs in the guitar of the guy you don't like. You buy the brazilian EC and you get bone nut and saddle and ivory bridge and end pins, a $4500 upcharge from this one.

What's stunning on this one is that the top is perfect, with little humping behind the bridge. Putting a steel straight edge on the top shows it to have just the right amount of swell.

Should be fine. Martin has certainly improved their adjustable truss rod design in recent years. They now work.

I have dealt with them and they are friendly.

2002, USA, Serial 5000 range, No electronics, Beautiful solid East Indian rosewood back and sides and split in the back, perfectly bookmatched, solid spruce top, scalloped bracing, glossy finish, tortoise colored brown pickguard slightly hand beveled on the edges, aged yellow top, Fat and solid magogany V-style neck that actually leaves a little raised V spot on the back of the headstock (Loved the back of the neck!) ebony fingerboard and bridge, Fret inlay is teeny tiny and fancy and well done except you can't hardly see it and starts only on the 5th fret. I did not like this understated look. No neck binding and no really visible side markers to see on the neck, tiny frets, I mean low and thin, I would need a refret in 2 years the way I play, action so low makes it harder to bend strings. 24.9" short scale, tiny body both in size and thickness, feels like females guitar or someone smaller. Nickel vintage externally geared tuners with butterbean knobs, Very plain logo on headstock no inlay there at all. From heel to neck very well crafted but dreadfully plain from about 10 feet away. Super nice green velvet/black case. Bridge pins were sticking about 1/4 inch above the bridge like they cannot fit all the way in, I thought this was something wrong. No tools, straps or accessories. Strings had tarnished spot on them like some strings you buy that are coroded in the wrapper before use. Dead sounding strings. (Martins)Other than the wood I was very very underwhelmed with features and appointments. Even the herringbone binding and rosette were not impressive beyond about 3 feet away. You can tell Amish built this thing ! This guitar is like peeing in dark pants, you get a warm feeling but no-one would notice. Masterful craftsmanship with British understatement. A rich guitar hero's road and play around the house small guitar. Very comfortable if you are a bean pole or are 5'5" tall. But if you are 5'9" and 200 lbs you look like a Gorilla playing a Ukelele. I walked up to my wife and several others and said with exitement (faking) Do you like this as much as my Gibson one ? They said with un-trained eyes. No that looks plain and small. I'd have to have one a little bigger, with neck binding, more inlay, better headstock work, fatter frets.

Alot LESS volume than I expected and none of the bass a dreadnought has (like the reviews claimed). I was again very underwhelmed for a 3800 dollar guitar. The Gibson Montana built acoustic I just ordered blows the sound of this Martin away in fullness, body, bass, highs... period. I can tell it is a very nice guitar but I have had a 899.00 Martin that really sounded just as good to a blind folded ear. I really hate to be giving this review but I knew I was returning this one 30 minutes after I recieved it, just not my sound. Lots of sustain and a good MIDDY kinda sound. Like a small guitar , period.

Action was SUPER low and in fact was hard to do bends on the 2nd and 3rd fret because of it. I actually thought this was like alot of electric players with thin strings play, but then again Clapton kinda likes this setup. I DONT, I think is wussy. Says alot though for the quality of the guitar, which is incredible even though its NOT for me. Bookmatched back is incredible. Workmanship and finish is to behold. One scratch on pickguard and one of rear out of sealed plastic Martin box. Bridge pins too big for holes and stuck up about 1/4 inch. bracing and insides looked wonderful with clapton/martin signatures. The Eric Clapton signature on the neck probably was half of the price and must be hell to install and if you EVER refret with bigger frets they will Overlap the top and bottom of the letters E and C without a doubt this was evident. The inlay was impressive but you need a microscope to see it. I did NOT like this. Nut was excellent. The "Eric Likes Them" tuners are sloppy when changing directions, I know they might work and Eric loves them but give me a break people 3800.00. Rare doesn't mean GOOD. Still had great workmanship and SOLID feeling neck.

Oh sure this will stand live playing. But for as plain as it looks from about 10 feet away and the fact that REAL HUMANS can't tell the difference between this and a plan 1600.00 000-28 then don't buy it for clubs. WHat a waste of money for that. It has ZERO stage presence as far as looks , so why spend the money unless you want to show the audience the rosewood back all the time. Very solid guitar and contrary to some reviews the only worries I would have is a screw coming out of one of those old exposed tuners during a gig or those non-existent frets wear off like butter in a year. For 3800 (2200 wholesale) its nice but not that nice. Maybe the original limited series was nicer but I doubt it. This guitar is MADE WELL, thats not my issues. It's just not for me.

I'm sure and I have heard their customer support is awesome and the repairman locally in Atlanta (Ralph Lutrell) listed on Martins web site is good enough to be WORTH shipping it too. He has the respect of other builders and a magnificent Martin rep. So I can tell you the support is said to be legendary.

A wonderful piece of collectorship but not worth the money for a regular player and not enough looks and appointments to make it worth being a fancy stage guitar, inlay is beatiful if you have binoculars. Frets are so thin and low I was little shocked. Low action and well made neck. Action was MUCH stiffer than I expected for a short scale and I didn't think the neck was blazing fast but still well made. NICE V shape neck. Hated the tuners and headstock plainess. Nut great, Pegs too big, holes too small. Not as loud as expected, Not as much bass as I reasonably expected. Smaller body than I EVER expected, too small for me on stage. Nice guitar but not for me. My Gibson Montana lacked some of the detail but almost as solid and sounded MUCH better !

1997 model Left Handed 00028EC

Beautiful Guitar Finish (vintage) top with flame like grain!
Don't really like the EC signature on the fretboard, but luckily it's discreet. I liked the vintage look, but what attracted me was it was left handed. In fact the shop had two lefties of the same model. One new and this one. The used was prettier and played better.

Mostly a blues/rock player.
Great Full sound, especially with medium gauge on it. Fingers are getting ripped up from the med gauge, but hell i'll be really ripping the .09s on my strat later.

Action was okay when puchased (used). had a few playing marks but in general guitar was in mint shape and the shop in Japan liked to charge a ton for it. I'm sure I payed more than in the USA, but hell I live in Bangkok, Thailand where there are no left handed anything let alone a Martin! So, postponed my trip home by a day and trecked back down to the shop and bought it!

Overall the guitar is in great playing condition! Love it!

Haven't checked.

Been playing guitar 25 years. Mostly a hacker. A few gigs way back when. I own all left handed guitars; 99 Mexican Strat and a 1978 Takamine (that's right the lawsuit guitar that Martin sued about)... a spittin image copy of a D28. Wanna buy it...email me. and also a recently acquired Baby Taylor (thought I'd be able to travel with it on planes..NOT).

I purchased a standard 00028-EC with case.

I play blues influenced rock. I use no amplification other than AKG 414 mic through house & monitor systems. The guitar is quite rich and balanced in tone with many variations depending upon the expertise of the player. It is not a loud guitar like a Dreadnaught, but is extremely pleasing to the ear and actually catches some listeners by surprise with its warm and balanced tonal qualities. If I had to pick on it (pardon the pun), I would say it lacks a bit of sustain, not the booming sustain of a large body, but that on and on sustain that a well seasoned acoustic should have. I was told by the salesperson and Martin that the guitar would acquire this quality with age, but I was also informed by a local luthier that aging would only increase the sustain minimally. I have found that using the heaviest medium guage (highest tension recommended by Martin for the 00028-EC) helps in this department.

Action is great. Finish is cleverly toned to give an aged glowing amber look to the soundboard. Nice marketing on the part of Martin, but has nothing to do with the sound of the instrument. Also, the Eric Clapton signature is discreet and hardly noticable, attesting to more good taste on the part of the makers.

This guitar is solidly built, however I think that this is one of the drawbacks. The original way back when Martins were not built this solid and this is why they sound better. It is obvious that in todays marketplace one cannnot lightly build anymore. It is a shame that the guitar is slightly overbuilt. It would sing even more if it were a bit lighter and more reactive to string vibrations.

The people at Martin are about as helpful as a big corporation can be. I have no complaints other than the fact that they could not specifically and definitively tell me exactly what types and kinds of woods were used to build my guitar. I was a bit surprised, but I guess they do not keep their records as detailed as I would.

I have been playing for 40 years. I own a 1950 Fender Broadcaster, a 1959 Fender Stratocaster, a 1959 Fender Telecaster, a Gibson Melody Maker, a 1965 Kohno Classical, and other assorted instruments. I play through a Bogner Metropolis, Vox AC-30, Vox Royal Guardsman, Pre-CBS Fender Twin, Pre-CBS Fender Super, and other assorted goodies. If my EC was stolen, I would investigate having a luthier reproduce one exactly to the EC specs, but I would have him put a red spruce top with cocobolo sides and build it a tad lighter. I love the way it plays and the tonal balance of the instrument. In short, it was my first choice out of many many guitars I have played. I shopped for years before I bought it.

2000 model Left handed 000-28EC Martin with case. No need to list features again.
I love the fact that Eric Clapton's name is on my guitar.

I play blues. This guitar is perfect for that. Fingerstyle or with a pick. This guitar sounds terrific.

Guitar finish is beautiful. Fit and action were perfect as recieved.

This is a very light weight guitar. Built solid though. If you baby it a little, it should last a lifetime.

Take the free tour. The Martin people are wonderful. They love their products and it shows.

Been playing 10 years. Would recomend this guitar to anyone. Martins are the greatest. I would never want to part with this guitar. This guitar is the greatest and EC is the greatest guitarist!
Thank you Martin. Thank you Eric Clapton!

I purchased my 000-28EC last year (2001). It's the stock model Eric Clapton "signature" guitar described by previous reviewers. It has a Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood sides and back. Except for the Clapton signature between the 19th and 20th frets and an extra herringbone purfling ring around the soundhole, the body trim, snowflake inlays, "tortoise" pickguard, and open tuners replicate pretty closely the appointments on a vintage 000-28. According to the Martin website, Clapton refers to this model--the lowest-priced of a suite of four Martin/Clapton guitars--as "utilitarian in the best sense of the word." And I agree. The other three limited edition guitars--the 000-42EC, the 000-42ECB, and, most recently, the 000-28ECB--are fancier, but I doubt that they play or sound any better than this one. Fortunately (for my pocketbook), I tend to prefer the classic "austere" look of the herringbone Martin.

I purchased this guitar by mail order, which caused me a good deal of anxiety. However, I've had very positive dealings with this vendor--Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI--which sends out its instruments on approval. Even so, for a panicky few moments I thought I might actually have to return this guitar, which out of the box sounded disappointingly dull. A change of strings (to a set of light-gauge Martins), however, made all the difference in the world. I can't say enough now about the gorgeous tone of this lightly-braced little guitar, by turns mellow (when finger-picked) and punchy (when flat-picked). I'm pretty wide-ranging in my musical tastes--I started off in my teens playing bluegrass, then later folk and blues, and, most recently, Brazilian jazz. For a middle-aged picker like me with a fairly eclectic bent, this is an ideal all-around instrument.

The fit and finish measure up to Martin's very high standards. I might have preferred a clearer top grain (mine has a bit of bearclaw figuring) and a tad lower action (which can, of course, be adjusted). But these are matters of personal preference. Like a couple of previous reviewers, I would also have preferred a satin (rather than a high gloss) finish on the neck; for me, the glossy finish tends to collect a residue of sweat and gunk.

Martin seems to be paying a lot of attention to quality control these days. I have no doubt this guitar will hold up very well over the years, with reasonable care. The vintage Geib Style case with its elegant green interior seems very sturdy.

I had a Martin-authorized repair person adjust the neck on another guitar a couple of years ago. The work was accomplished in a reasonable amount of time and was covered by the instrument's warranty. Martin later asked me (via mail-in survey) to rate my satisfaction with the work. So my limited experience has been positive.

My main guitar between 1968 and 1995 was a fabulous 1942 herringbone D-28 (that I purchased originally for $200!) I sold it six years ago and, truth be told, don't really miss it all that much. Martin seems to be making really fine instruments these days, which don't come with the quirky problems of their vintage counterparts. As a replacement for my D-28 I initially purchased a brand-new OM-28VR, which, except for its funny-looking (to me anyway) teardrop-shaped pickguard, I liked very much. Last year, however, I had a chance to try out an 000-28EC, which I liked even better for its slightly shorter scale length (and standard pickguard). I have relatively short fingers and it just seemed more comfortable to play. So I switched. I own three other guitars (a Martin "George Nakashima" dreadnought, a Masaru Kohno classical, and a Rick Turner 1C-LB electric); the 000-28EC is the one that gets the most play by far.

Made in 1998. Standard Clapton model. I don't think there are any options, different models, etc.

Had Bob's Music (downtown Chicago) install a Fishman thinline pickup, lower the action and sand the gloss off the neck (I prefer a satin finish neck; gloss finish just catches the palm of the hand and squeaks).

I mostly play blues/country. Combination of fingerpicking, flatpicking and occassional strumming. Bought this guitar after trying out many Martin, Gibson, Taylor and Larrivee models. Thought I'd be buying a dreadnought or jumbo but when I heard the tone and clarity of the 000, well, everything else just sounded muddy in comparison. The lower volume of the reduced size isn't an issue for me because I use it to record into a Roland VS1680 via condenser mic and ART Tube preamp. Best way I can describe the sound is that each individual note rings clear and full; makes other guitars sound like the notes are walking all over each other.
The guitar has a naturally bright sound (size, ebony fingerboard and bridge, etc) so I stick with mellow strings (Elixers, which I really like on my Larrivee 12-string, were way too bright on the 000EC)

The fit and finish were typical Martin excellent; and the action was typical Martin high. Had Bob's Music lower the action when they installed the bridge pickup but it made little difference probably because they don't want to lower it too much. Plan to do it myself when I get the time. Also plan to sand more gloss off the neck (again, the guitar shop's reluctance to take off too much).
At first I thought the open-back tuners looked cheap (didn't my 1964 Kay plywood guitar have openback tuners?) but they are very good. Tuning is very precise. 9 times out of 10 that I pick up the guitar it is in perfect tune.
I particulary like the deepvee neck because I have larger than average hands and the vee helps fill some of the space; players with smaller hands might feel different.

I'm confident the guitar will hold up well, although I don't plan on putting it through any torture tests. I've got other less expensive guitars to take to festivals, etc.

Not needed yet. Maybe I should call them about action modifications.

Playing since early seventies. 3 6-string steel acoustics, 1 classical, 1 12-string, 2 basses, 2 strats, mandolin, banjo, squareneck slide.
Would definatley buy same model again, but would order from the custom shop to get a satin finish neck.

2001 Martin 00028-EC with the same features as the others mentioned in these reviews. I don't know where to start with the neat features of this guitar but I guess the vintage tint on the top is the first thing you would notice. Very nice. The neck is short scale . Body style is auditorium. The grained ivoroid binding is nothing to write home about, It looks like the same binding on my HD-28...which is not considered ivoriod

Well, here is where I may have been dissapointed a little. my other Martin is an HD-28 (1996) and is simply THE best sounding guitar I have ever played or heard. The acoustic resonance and projection is second to nothing. The Clapton by comparison has little projection and yes I realize it's an audtorium. I had the action lowered and had a Martin thinline pick-up installed as soon as I got it cause I play alot of solo in church. It does sound good with the p/u and obviously this helped the projection. The action is still not as fast as the HD-28. Im also still trying to get use to the smaller 000 size!!

The action was high from the factory. Had it lowered and it still is not what I thought it would be. I use Markley bronze 11's on it. The finish gets a 10!!

The reliability will be excellent as well made as this one is and the durability will be ok too as long as the guitar is well taken care of. Im sure it'll be around as long as I am and besides I have three others to kick around with. Yes I would use it without a back up but I don't really need to haul 2 guitars and an amp into church to play one three minute song. The HD-28 and the amp will do fine, thank you
!!!

n/a....but Ive heard Martin support is super

Been playig 25 years. own a Martin HD-28, Gibson j160E, and a Conn classical guitar. Also own a Crate 60w amp. Truthfully, if I would of played this guitar FIRST I would not have bought it. It's simply not loud enough unplugged. Other than that it is a wonderful high quality guitar. Dont get me wrong...I love it but it needs to be played through an amp..or miked, at least for my ear. I'll have this one for the long haul because of the investment if nothing else. With that said, if it were lost or stolen I would'nt replace it because I now know I own the best ACOUSTIC guitar out there.......the Martin HD-28

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.