Martin 000-28VS

Martin has a lot of beauties in their line. The 000-28VS has to be at the top of the list as most unique (12-fret, slothead) and beautiful.
Fine herringbone top; polished gloss w/aging toner; satin neck; just beautiful to eye and ear.

Fingerpickers need look no further. The right size and sound in one package.
The set-up from Martin was HIGH. A trip to luthier is never a good deal, but to get this beauty set up right was necessary to maximize the sound and appearance.
Strong base for the size (ooo) and very clear on the high strings too.

As mentioned, set up from Martin was way too high for me. Seems Martin would set it mid-point.
All the signs of quality workmanship are apparent with the top, frets, pegs and all cuts and fits.

Waverly slotheads should last a long time. Lifetime warranty from a name like Martin should be easy. Have not used or contacted the factory, but Martin rep is outstanding as we all know.
Online registration is a plus in this electronic/digital age.
I'm not playing out, but would have tough time worrying about it getting dinged up.

No contact with customer service yet. Hopefully none will be needed

Played lots of great gits over 30+ years. This beautiful instrument sounds and looks great.
1 13/16" fingerboard at nut may be an issue for some. I play a lot on my Guild classical with 2" neck, so I love it.
Lovely, seemingly quality Martin HS case is a plus.
I would like to see this model with a Sunburst option too, without having to go to the custom shop (and higher price)at Martin. The price is up there for a lot of folks. Shop around and you can find some quality dealers (My Favorite Guitar) who offer substantial discounts off the Martin list.

Polished finish, beautifully done and very typical of the Martins of this era, no flaws. Early 000 body style with waverly tuning machines on a open head 12 fret neck and V shape that has made a come back and which I personally like for my finger picking style. Martin Hard case is typical of the cases furnished with these guitars. Neck is said to be "select Hardwood" but his 2005 version appears to be true Mahogany. The Indian Rosewood back and sides are perfectly matched and the color of the sides is much more distinct and colorful than most. Mine was made in 2006 and I had purchased it used. I could not believe the previous owner was willing to allow this guitar to leave his possession.

The sound is perfect for me. Not a cannon like a D series but perfectly balanced base and treble that work together to create a beatiful rich bright tone. As good as it gets in this size of guitar. I purchased this used, sight unseen, over the internet and was incredibly lucky as I hadn't played or heard it before it actually arrived.

I got this guitar used and as it came to me the action was perfect. I also compared it to another Martin which had come to me new and the action was exactly the same height. There were no flaws that I could find in this guitar at all. The top was book matched and overall the fit and finish is exactly what I would expect from Martin.

I've owned lots of guitars in my 40 years of playing and never had one that went south after I bought it. Properly cared for I would expect this one to last several generations in my family. I don't take it outside the home very often but I don't forsee anything that could be a problem.

I have talked with Martin a time or two over the years about minor things and they have always been helpful and friendly and easy to deal with. They are the kind of company one hopes they will be when you call. It doesn't get any better than their help and that's one reason they are still there after i76 years. Haven't had to deal with them on this particular one, however.

Been playing for over 40 years and currently own several guitars. This is a favorite and one I looked for for a long time. If it were lost of stolen, I'd have to find another one and hope that it sounded and played as well as this one does.

The Martin 000-28VS is a 12 fret guitar with a solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides and a solid Sitka Spruce top. The neck is mahogany with an ebony fingerboard. Tuners are Waverly nickel side mounts with Butterbean knobs. The headstock is slotted. The fingerboard is 1 13/16" wide at the nut. The guitar has a polished gloss finish with aging toner. The guitar somewhat conservative in appearance without many flourishes or embellishments; never-the-less, it is an attractive instrument. There are no on-board electronics and there is no pickguard.

Hands down, this is the best guitar I have ever played; it absolutely sings. The treble is clean and well defined with great sustain. The bass is rich and full. The balance between treble and bass is perfect. The guitar with its slightly wider fingerboard is a finger picker???s dream [I play mostly finger picked blues] but the guitar also responds to a pick whether strumming breathtaking chords or flat picking runs of notes. Volume and projection are impressive. I can???t think of a style of music that couldn???t be played on this guitar.

The construction of the guitar is flawless. It was obviously built with great care and pride. There's nothing I'd do to change the factory set-up. The action seems to be right on. The guitar is very playable.

I'm an avid hobbyist so I'll never be taking it on a gig; but, I wouldn't hesitate to do so. Martins are well-built guitars so durability isn't an issue. The lack of a pick guard might be a problem for an aggressive strummer.

This is the third Martin I've owned- I've never had a problem with their construction so repairs haven't been an issue. Martin's lifetime warranty inspires confidence. I've had several conversations with the folks at Martin. They've always been helpful. On occasion, I've e-mailed them questions about strings, set-up and other related issues. They've always replied promptly.

To put my comments in perspective, I own a Taylor 814CE, a Breedlove Focus, a Gibson SJ200 and a 1949 J-45, a Takamine EF341SC and an 0-16 sized Cripple Creek- a guitar custom built by Colorado luthier Andy Bennett. I???ve owned a D-28, a 1964 0-16 Martin New Yorker and an Ovation 1771LX. None compare to the 000-28VS. My D-28 sounded dull in comparison. Before buying this guitar I spent quite a bit of time playing the 000-28 Clapton, fully intending to purchase one. I called Martin with some questions about the Clapton. The customer rep suggested I consider the VS. They aren???t common. I ordered it on-line without ever hearing one. My jaw dropped when I took it out of the case and played it for the first time. The Clapton is a nice guitar- but it pales in comparison to the VS. I probably have too many guitars if such a thing is possible. Each has its own personality and each brings a different playing experience. But, if I could only keep one guitar, it would be the 000-28VS. If anything happened to this guitar I'd replace it in an instant. I'm offering my email address to anyone who might have a question about my experience with this guitar.

Standard features for a Martin 00028VS. Beautiful Rosewood. Mine is medium darkness with lots of grain. Many people thin it is Brazilian but it isn't. I have seen much darker rosewood on these guitars but all I have heard sound great. I still have the stock pins, nut and bridge but after reading reviews I will probably upgrade to bone. The finish on the guitar is perfect and believe me I am picky. I have turned down many custom guitars because of the small imperfections. The quality lives up to the Martin name and they should be very proud of this model guitar. I used to own a D35 and D35 12 string but sold them because of the small necks. I have larger fingers and got to used to the 1 3/4 inch nuts on my other guitars. This one is even wider but is fine for both finger picking and flat picks. I mainly play finger picking patterns with a flat pick. I didn't want to alter the guitar so I added a Sunrise soundhole pickup for public performances and concerts. I miked it in the studio and got a wonderful sound. I love the herringbone trim and it gives it the vintage look. Other bonuses are the voluted headstock and diamond bridge. All in all it is one of the most beautiful guitars I have seen that Martin has made.

Regardless of the plastic pins etc. this is one of the best sounding guitars I have ever played. I researched custom guitars all over the US and Canada. I own the last two jumbo guitars that Michael Heiden built. One is Koa and the newer one rosewood. I also own a Larrivee Parlor, a Takamine classical and a vintage 1965 Gibson ES125-D. As I said I sold the two Martins I owned and replaced them with the Heiden's. When friend bought the 00028VS I was blown away with the sound it produced. I have spent hundreds if not thousands of hours listening to recording of acoustic guitar. I listen to recordings over and over to learn what sound I consider perfect. I had to own this guitar because it had that sound I always looked for in all instruments but RARELY find. I had Will Ackerman (founder of Windham Hill Records and my producer play it and he also loved the guitar. He said I should have used it on all the songs on my newest recording. It will be used on most songs on my next CD for sure. This guitar sits next to my couch and is played every day. It is the guitar that I now write all my songs on with the exception of my parlor guitar that is high strung (Nashville tuning). I have played this guitar through a battery operated Crate amp on the beach, a Daedalus system that is top line, a small Roland amp and a large Mackie system. All sound great. It has been used for audiences as small as several people and up to audience sizes of several thousand. It works for all sizes of crouds.

This guitar is so versatile. I play in all open tunings and this guitar can go lower that any other guitar I have ever owned. I did put light Elixr's on it, my strings of choice. (One exception - I always likes Martin SP strings on my D35s.)This guitar stays in tune and doesn't get out during gigs. My music is slightly different than the average player. I play very softly sometimes to give emotion to my notes. This guitar has so much expression and really helps to express the emotion that I try to put into my songs. I promise that strumming is great too but if you want a guitar that can bring tears to the listeners eyes, this is the one!

It's a Martin. I treat it like it is made of glass but have the confidence that it is plenty strong. It is much stronger than my custom guitars and the case is great. I do have a Calton flight case for travel with it. It fits in the jumbo/dreadnaught case fine. The length is perfect and I use a couple of foam rubber chunks on the sides.

Never had to use it but if tis company has been around this long then their service must be up to par. DUHH Its a Martin!

I have been playing for about 40 years but only 10 professionally, making a living with it. I have thought about buying another one in the future but have a sunburst custom paint job on it. I like this guitar so much I am also considering buying and 00018S to compliment it with a Mahogany guitar (12 fret, slot head)
To me this gets the highest recommendation. You can't beat the acoustic sound. I will always own this guitar or one like it.

What can you say about an acoustic guitar. Martin is not noted for using junk, and this guitar is no exception. It features some great tone woods. Solid Rosewood for back and sides, solid Sitka spruce for the top, dovetail neck joint, Waverly tuners, Ebony fretboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, and a dimond volute at the back of the nut. I liked everything about this guitar but the plastic bridge pins. If you go thru the trouble of making the nut and saddle out of bone, why skimp with plastic pins? Martin would have had a hands down "10" if not for the plastic pins

In the store it sounded great. But I think the sound proof room made conditions a little too perfect. Once I got it home, it sounded like it lost a little bit of its snap. Like the walls of my room was absorbing tone. After having it for about a week, I changed the strings and those dastardly bridge pins. I substituted 80/20 bronze for the phospher bronze it came with, and held them in place with bone bridge pins. WOW, what a difference! It's like the guitar woke up after a long nap. Because the sound was always in there, and just needed a little help to come out, I rated sound a ten.

On acoustic guitars, I look for things like type and quality of woods used. Quality of the tuners, bridge pins, neatness of work(especially inside,) or if the binding is loose or crooked. The next check is the neck above the 12th, or 14th fret, depending on the model. I look to make sure the neck is on a level plane with the body, and the strings above it. If the neck is taking even a slight nose dive away from the strings, this is a future problem. With the exception of the bridge pins, this guitar passed every test beyond my expectations.

I have friends who've had Martins for years, with no problem. But last year, a friends HD-28 had its binding unglue. It was only about a four inch section, and he repaired himself using the wood glue Martin recommended. I would say my Martin is bit more delicate than an HD-28, but it still feels solid enough that I think it will outlast me! I can't score my guitar based on what happened to a friends, so I'll give the 000-28vs a ten, here.

I've had it for about a month, so I have not delt with Martin on any level. Even though I'm a member of the Martin Owners Club, I don't feel it would be fair to rate Customer Support. Of course, not needing them is indicative of their products quality.

I've been playing for over 35 years. I consider it a hobby to get out there and test play high-end acoustics. I've played guitars from that "guy" in Canada, that "guy" in Montana, that "guy" who likes to revoice(whatever that means,) his guitars every year. The truth is they are all good. Hell, they're great! We are lucky to be living in a time where pickings are good for acoustic guitar players. But there was something about that small-bodied Martin that spoke to me. Is it perfect? Yes it is! But, no it's not. For the sake of plastic bridge pins.....

Made in Nazareth Pa. Martin 000-28vs is brand new so I suppose build date is '05. I just bought it and have played it for about a week now. I bought this guitar sight unseen and only had the reviews and articles to make the decision as to whether it was what I was looking for. Also knowing that the dealer had no problem with returning it if I was not satisfied made it a little less scary. I gotta say this is the most unusual guitar I've had the pleasure of playing. I've played quite a few guitars in the 35+ years of strumming and not one (that I can recall) has had the tonal quality and neverending sustain which this guitar posesses. I realized from the beginning by looking at the specs this model guitar had a wide neck and short scale legnth and that was one of the reasons I wanted it. A real finger picking guitar which gives the ol fingers some room. What was a bit of a surprise was just how difficult it was to play. This is no beginners guitar. If I would have had to learn on this guitar I most probably would be playing piano. Just think of a flaminco guitar with 12thru53 steel strings and you get the idea of what playing this thing is like. I mean to tell ya son it's more than a guitar, it's an adventure. However that is one of the reasons the tone is so phenomenal~! I'm sure the action and string distance has some major role in the tone. Anyway, the body style resembles the flamenco (nylon string) guitar as well and I've had the chance to bring it to a few gigs and it really stands out in the crowd. Both tonally and visually.
Speaking of gigging with it... It has no electronics or pick ups. This guitar has no strapnut on the neck so the only way to play it (in a pub or get together) is to sit with it on your lap and mike it. Just the way it was done 50 - 60 years ago. I really have fallen for this guitar. It has so many quirks and disadvantages but somehow the tone and character of it overshadows the negatives. The other disadvantage is the price. I paid $2460 otd via internet. I suppose Martin figures at that price no newbie will be buying these guitars anyway so the action and playability will be subjective at the worst.
Highly recommend for seasoned guitar player, especially fingerpicking style or Bluegrass. Incredible tone and volume.

Tone monster. Best sounding accoustics ever!
Fingerpicking style or Bluegrass.

Fit and Finish are beautiful/
Came right out of the box, tuned her up and started playing. Intonation is right on. Action a little high for my liking.

It's a Martin. I'm sure this guitar will last longer than I will and most definitely be worth more money in 50 years than I.

No contact?
Warranty is lifetime.

37 years,
strat, tele, es335, guild D212, Gibby J45, Takamine Santa Fe, Jazz Bass,
Love the tone. Don't hate anything about it.
Action and playability was not exactly what I thought but manageble
I would definitely replace it if it were stolen
Compared it to Taylor, Gibson, Breedlove, Santa Cruz and another Martin ie. CEO-5.

2004 model, bought in January 2005, so the new product rush is bygone.
"Where was it made?"... Hey it's a Martin, it's American 100%!!!
The specs are better explained on CFM'S website.
I give it a 9 because it's not a fancy-pearly-abaloney model, but, heck, Martin makes simple designs in a wonderful way!!!

10 - Sounds Great!
Yup, fingerstyle, strumming, this guitar is not afraid of anything.
It excels in the blues department, but I feel comfortable also with bluegrass, country and rock.
Only 12 fret? No problem, there's the Merle Haggard Signature model if you want it, or tons of other makers and styles, but why rob this masterpiece of its lush overtones, by putting more frets or a cutaway?
Plenty of volume, deep bass (maybe deeper than my D-35) and an overall clear and strong voice make my fondness of rosewood stronger day by day.
On his book "Martin Guitar Masterpieces" Dick Boak says: "In my opinion, the 000 12-fret guitars seemed to be the most tonally responsive models that Martin had ever made".
If he says it...

I received the guitar already modified with bone nut, saddle and bridge pins, so I have no idea of how was set up originally.
But fit and finish are absolutely flawless, and consider that I am a picky guy about these matters.

Martins are Martins, they love when you play hard on 'em.
Obviously they're not rock solid, actually they'empty inside!!!
So if you don't throw 'em on the floor a la SRV in "Live at El Mocambo", it is likely they survive your grandchildren.

Never dealt with the company.

I play since 1997.
I have a D-35, a Guild F47MCE (see the review), a Baby Taylor, a customized American Strat, a Rickenbacker 360 and a Gibson Sonex-180.
A bunch of pedals serve me both on electric and acoustic gigs.
If it were stolen I'd try to forgive the thief (Jesus says so) and I would call Elderly for a replacement; but I swear I would miss her so much...
I think that there's nothing wrong with my 000-28VS and the thing I like most is its size: It's so comfortable to hold and although the body is a tad longer than my D-35, it seems shorter, especially when playing seated.
I bought it on the Internet w/out even try it before, just hearing from people on the UMGF.
I am happy with my choice.
The only thing I wish it had is some three-on-a-side machineheads with ivoroid buttons; I think I will upgrade to the Waverly's in the next future.

My Martin 000-28VS is a 2003 model. It is a "standard range" guitar,that is all solid woods. With vintage era design. scalloped bracing,slotted tapered headstock,herringbone trim, no pickguard, waverly tuners,old style decal on headstock, V-shaped neck. It is built like the 000-28's were before they went to the 14 fret neck. It comes with a vintage style black wooden arch top case,with brass hinges and locks; and a padded leather handle. Interior is green velvet lined. This guitar is absolutly beautiful. A jewell in the crown of the king of guitar makers. Thank you C.F.Martin for bringing this one back.

The 12 fret design of the guitar has not hindered my playing one bit. Ive been playing acoustic guitar for 40+ years. I play instrumental fingerstyle. Classical,ragtime,celtic,ect. I find no problem playing above the 12th fret. The guitar has all that gutsy,ballsy sound you expect from a vintage Martin. With perfect balance,very loud and projects very well. I bought this guitar new and when I first played it; it sounded great. Which surprised me. Usually a guitar needs to be played in for awhile before it starts to sound good. I've been playing it now for almost 2 years and it just keeps sounding better. This is the best sounding guitar I've ever owned,which includes Gibsons,Lowdens,and other Martins. The only problem I have with this guitar is that I cant walk past it without picking it up to play it.

New Martins usually come set up a little high to my liking. But thats never been a problem to have adjusted. The guitar's action is very comfortably low while still having plenty of string angle to the bridge pins. which is a big reason for the large volume. The materials are top grade. The workmanship is flawless Martin; just as it has been for over 150 years.

Reliability; Durability? What can I say; there are plenty of 100 year old Martins still being played today. I have played live gigs with the guitar, but it deserves a good microphone. Don't mess this beautiful instrument up with a pick up!

Martin has always been very friendly and helpful in ansewering my questions. even returning my calls. there warrantys are lifetime.

For the fingerpicker you just can't do better than a 000-28VS. The 12 fret design retains the fullness and balance that is lost on the 14 fret design. Which is why classical concert guitars still retain the 12 fret design. (did you know the 14 fret was the idea of a banjo player)...say what? When I started this survey I was asked to be critical; but the only thing I can say criticaly about this guitar is that Martin took too long to re-issue the 000-28 12 fret.

I think there is nothing to add to previous comments.

I love this rosewood bass. It sounds perfect. I have also never heard a guitar that sounds so good!!!
I love the phrase, it is like an extension of my soul.

Set-up was perfect!
The top is a bit uneven in color, but everythink fits perfectly.

I can not tell. But I hope so ;-)

I`ve been playing for more than 30 years know. Started with classical guitar, since 7 years I also fingerpick, owned Stanford, Gibson, but the 000-28VS is really the best.
I like it`s style and the sound is reaaly incredible.

This is a brand new, 2003 model. The only features I would add would be either bone or fossilized ivory for the nut & bridge.

The sound is astounding. It has surpassed my expectations and it really makes my playing sound twice as good.

The action, fit, and finish are perfect right out of the box. I was expecting to have to take it to a shop for a set-up, but that won't happen as this is ready to play. The guitar is twicw as beautiful in person as it was in any of the photo's I've seen.

Martin guitars are well built, and this one might be built a little better than other lower-end models. It should last forever.

My limited experience has been very good.

I've playing for over 20 years, and this is the nicest acoustic guitar I've ever had the good fortune to own. I got an incredible deal on this guitar, especially when you consider the quality of the sound, playability, and fit & finish. I can't imagine another guitar that would sound & play as nicely as this one. If you are considering this model, do yourself a big favor and take the plunge. You'll be glad you did.