Martin HD-28 Acoustic

1990 HD-28P (P=low profile neck). Just the right amount of ornamentation (herringbone bindings) with Sitka Spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, Rosewood bridge, Ebony bridge pins with Abalone tops, Micarta saddle. Really nice to look at and finish really improved to showroom when I polished with beeswax paste. Dreadnought style with Martin tuners, Martin case which fits guitar perfectly, built-in pick-up. What more could you want?

Like all Martins it is a little too much on the bassy side and I would lose it a point for this, but overall the sound is rich, warm but bright with the right set of strings on it, and I am sure it will improve as my playing improves.

Great action sorted out by previous owner. A few blemishes on the top which unnerved me when it arrived as they were not clear on the photographs, but now I see that I will be able to tell my Martin in a crowd because of them and I feel much more relaxed about it. Almost like a personalisation sort of thing. Hey, that's mine there with that little blemish!

Only recently got it so don't want to comment too much on durability. If it has lasted this long and is in this kind of condition then I guess it won't be a problem. Little worried about the bellying and will lose it a point because I will have to take it to my local guitar shop every year just to keep an eye on it, but could be worrying unnecessarily as it seems to be common to Martins.

Secondhand so not applicable.

This is one beautiful little Martin guitar. It fits nicely onto my lap and is very easy to play. It looks beautiful without being overstated and sounds warm, but also bright and bluesy and has a more restrained sound than a Gibson, which is just what I wanted. This is the only expensive acoustic I will ever be able to afford, but in dreamland I would love to own other Martins if they are all of this calibre. Difficult to compare with other guitars, but I have a friend who has just bought a Taylor and I thought it looked and sounded thin and cheap up to the Martin. It had a sort of satiny finish which cannot compare to a seasoned Martin.

Buying off eBay can be a nightmare I know and you lay yourself open to abuse when spending a lot of money, but I got to know the seller really well by e-mail (a promo Nashville guitarist who had excellent feedback - you have to read between the lines and ignore the usual `Great eBayer' replies and look for genuine remarks of approval and thanks). There were 32 photographs in the advert so I was pretty sure of what I was getting and a great and detailed description of the guitar and its history.

If you want a Martin and don't want it too loud or bright then this would suit you well although I would think you could make it perform if you wanted it to (and had the ability).

A lot of money I know, but everything about it is class and it is worth every penny. Wonderful guitar!

Love this Model. I own a 1999 HD-28

Booms like it was amplified

Beautiful to look at! Add some gold Grover butter bean tuners and it is Awsome......

Mine has been stuck up into a Ceiling fan and it took a licking and keeps on ticking

Fantastic people working at Martin factory. Kudo's to Paula Primrose

Best buy for the buck from Martin ever.

Mine is a 1990 HD-28 P. The P stands for low profile, which I understand became the standard for the D-28s after 1990. The other features have been pretty well coverec; scalloped bracing, Indian Rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, Schaller tuners. I give it a 9 for features because, although it doesn't have a bunch of features, it has the right ones and I don't want to bring down the overall rating because its not pimped out with extraneous B.S.

The sound is hard to describe, because it has a lot of them. I play a fairly broad range of styles and this guitar covers them all very well. This guitar has the classic bluegrass sound nailed, but then again, the Blues never sounded sweeter than on this guitar. At 18 years she has opened up beautifully and projects like a cannon. Very well balanced also. Equally fine for fingerpicking or flat picking.

The action on this low profile neck is amazing for an acoustic guitar. It rivals some of my better electrics, and is equal to or better than the other acoustics in my arsenal; Breedlove Focus, 1983 Martin D-35 and Martin MC-40. After 18 years the finish on the front has a couple of tiny dings (my fault) but otherwise the finish hasn't checked, the action is low with no buzz, the binding is intact and the top has turned a beautiful dark honey color.

Almost 20 years old and only better with age. Nothing has failed on this guitar and it has seen its fair share of playing around.

I've dealt with Martin before when I had pickguard issues on my D-35. I took it to an authorized luthier who did a great job and they took care of the bill, no problem. Lifetime warranties are pretty cool.

I've been playing a little over 40 years, although playing a long time doesn't necessarily translate into being an accomplished musician. This guitar is a classic and has earned its reputation. Its also a very beautiful guitar in an understated kind of way. What do I love about this guitar? I like to pick it up and slide my hand down that smooth ebony neck, lightly fingerpick a few notes that ring like crystal and follow that with a few power chords at full volume. The result is what I love about this guitar.

If it were stolen, I'd start my search for another vintage Martin HD-28. Thankfully, there are quite a few around and the prices although high, are not out of reach for most. I mean you are talking about quality craftsmanship from right here in the good old U.S of A. and part of an American tradition.

2003 Martin HD-28 made in the good ol' U.S. of A. The best sounding of all acoustic guitars. Came with original hardshell molded Martin case (a must!) These guitars should never have the wood cut on them, it'll ruin the sound. I got mine untouched and raw, what a beauty! I use a separate Korg Tuner and LR Baggs Para DI, both great products! This guitar does not need features to shine.

Like I said, this is the best sounding acoustic guitar I have ever heard. Taylor fanboys can stick with those all they want. Gibsons never have enough depth. And Takamine's are great for the price, but still can't hold up to a Martin. The highs are crisp, yet not harsh. The mids are full with rich sustain. The lows are booming and make the Martin complete, but do not overpower its overall tone. It is perfect for soft strumming, hard strumming, finger picking, harmonics, whatever you want! This guitar literally has it all. Nothing compares to a Martin HD-28. It is the best sounding acoustic guitar of all time.

When I first got mine, the action was just a tad too high, and the D'Addario strings sounded a little old. I took it into my local guitar shop, the action was lowered, and they restrung it with my weapon of choice: Martin SP Mediums. One strum of this baby, and I'm in heaven. It sounded exactly how I wanted it to sound. The action is perfect, the intonation is not easily disjointed, and the guitar overall is very sturdy and firm. Martin definitely knows quality.

I've played it 3 times live thus far (I only got it in mid February) and it is a workhorse. Great tones no matter what setting I am in. These Martin's are built to last if you know how to care for them. The finish is good enough to last forever, and I gig it without a backup. I've gone through Takamine's, Breedloves, you name it. The Martin HD-28 has always been my dream acoustic guitar. I don't ever plan on replacing it. If i do, it will be with another HD-28.

Haven't had to deal with them yet, but I hear they're the best.

I've been playing guitar for 10 years now. I started out on a Carlos acoustic guitar in 1998 (where do these come from?!) then to a Takamine G Series in 2001 (great for the price, bad on the tone and quality.) I sold the Taka in 2007 and bought a Breedlove (I played one that sounded good at the Fresno Guitar Center) but I was never pleased with the tone of the one I actually bought. I sold that in late 2007 and put that money towards a Martin, which I got for a steal! If this were lost or stolen, I'd replace it in a heartbeat. Sure they may go for more than your average guitar, but they are worth it in every way. This is the only guitar I can justify spending over $2,000 for (you cannot even compare a Taylor to a Martin.) If you want the best acoustic tone, but a Martin HD-28. Acoustic guitars do not come better than this one.

Scalloped bracing, ebony fingerboard and bridge and rosewood back & sides are the only things that make it stick out.

First I need to tell my story. The mechanic who worked on my dad's car was a country music guy and a hardcore Martin man. He actually dealt Martins in Montreal, buying & selling them used because the new ones were allegedly crap. So I remember being stuck in the office because of a freak hail storm and it came up that I was a music student and I needed a steel string. I already understood quality from playing electric for a few years and I didn't want to skimp. So I asked him to find me a Martin.

Weeks went by and I actually left the part-time job I had. The guy calls up and says he has a found a guitar for me. I went over & tried it. It was a beautiful-sounding HD-28 from 1993 in great shape and he was asking $2700 canadian (a tad less than a new one if you factor in tax). Since I had lost my job, I just couldn't justify it, and asked if there was anything cheaper. A week later he calls and says he has a D-18 for me to try. I took it home for 24 hours and basically committed to buying it for $1900.

But here's the kicker: after those 24 hours with the D-18, I just couldn't gel with the sound and everything I wanted to hear wasn't in there, and the HD-28 had it all. I called and asked if he still had the Herringbone, and he had just sold it to a collector! CRAP! I begged him to call the guy get it back. He did, and it cost me a few more bucks but I don't regret anything.

I have had the HD-28 for about 9 years and to me it is still the benchmark of what a great acoustic should sound like. Since that time, I have played many other styles and brands, and a good friend schooled me on how dreadnoughts are scooped/boxy and parlor sized have nicer midrange. I understood what he meant, and I heard the difference but I stand by this guitar! It has the "bloom", richness, & dark color as well as crispness I want to hear. This guitar gives up the goods; caress it, it sweetly whispers, slam it and it screams. There are no dead spots I can hear. I only use DR Rare Earth 13-56 strings because they really sound the best out of everything I have tried.

Amazing stability on this guitar -I had a problem with some rattling and brought it to the authorized Martin repair guy in town. He stuck the guitar in a humidity-controlled room for 2 weeks to let everything settle, and voila! No work needed at all! The problem was our electric heating during the winter which dried everything up but it restored itself just lik that. Never even needed a setup!

I have no problem relying on this thing, except it looks like it might develop the "Martin crack".

never needed

Superb guitar, definitely has opened up some. I mainly play electric but I installed a K & K Trinity western pickup system which is mighty fine, doesn't sound fake. I actually feel like I don't deserve such a fine guitar because I don't play it enough. Just throwing a review in there for anyone who cares. I can't say it's a great value because it's pricey. But at least it holds its value!

A gloss finish dreadnought with bookmatched back, East Indian Rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top, ebony fretboard. As all Martins are, it is USA made. The neck is satin finish but not a worry, and it is a fast neck, flat and easy to move about. For myself, the minute I picked it up and wrapped my arms around it, it felt like it was mine. So comfortable to play. These are the features I need- not electronics and a built in tuner. I don't care about that stuff.

This is a balanced guitar, with clear, ringing highs and deep, resonant lows. A low E plucked open rang for a full 25 seconds. It is loud and bossy. Demands to be heard and then calms down to a sweet tinkling softness. Nothing muddy about this baby. Every string and every note creates interest. Makes you smile the minute you touch the strings.

A close inspection revealed absolutely no flaws in this guitar. The action was set below factory specs which makes it play like, as we all say, butter... Smooth and fluid. Bookmatching is lovely, bridge perfect, frets smoothly filed. A classic spruce top with even color and figuring. And the smell! Delicious rosewood fresh from the Martin factory!

This bad boy is gonna last! I don't play out but if I did, I am sure it would carry me from show to show without a problem. This is a guitar you buy for life. I expect to have it until I die.

The warranty is limited lifetime, and I have tech who is a Certified Martin Repair Station, so I am in good hands there!

I have been thinking about this purchase for a long time. I have spent over ten years playing an old inexpensive Washburn. The HD28 was a gift to myself. I knew I wanted a Martin because I just love the Martin sound. I was going to get a D28 but liked the scalloped bracing in the HD28, as well as the herringbone. So I splurged. I am so glad I did.

This guitar I bought at Local music store.It is a 2005 model.It was sold to me as new guitar so I did have the full year warranty. It has gloss finish and was or seemed to be perfect.Your normal so;id spruce top rosewood back and sides.Neck material mahogany.

The sound of this guitar is just what I wanted. I always play a guitar and buy it for the sound and tone. This little guitar is the most boomy guitar you can buy bar none.I play bluegrass and it fits perfect.If I was looking for a lot of treble tones I would have bought a J-45 Gibson or Martin HD35. So no complaints about sound.

The set up for Martins are standard for minimal fret buzz. No.1 reason for this is most players play different. Example I play hard so the action was perfect for me no fret buzz.You can have the action lowered and lighter strings but it will effect the low tone. The intonation of every martin I have played are as perfect as it gets.

All instruments have to treated with care if you use the as drums the will break. Martin guitars are constructed as well as any the woods they are made of dent and scar like others of same quality.This little guitar stays in tune and I play hard. Its the only guitar I take when I play.

This is the reason I wanted to write this review. I had my Martin for about 2 months and the top fell against the top binding. The finish actually looked like it exploded. I contacted Martin, finishes are usually not covered under warranty.But I sent some Digital pictures and they seen that it was a problem with the adhesion of the seal coat. Sent my guitar back to the company in Nazareth Pa. And in about 12 weeks I HAD A BRAND NEW GUITAR. Also I had ask for a custom label and sure enough they fulfilled my request. Thats why I will always stand behind Martin Guitar.Made in the USA

I have been playing for around 35 years and have owned Gibson, Alvarez,Guild,And own those guitars now but my favorite to play is my little Hd28 Martin.The 28 has the boom that I need when I play bluegrass. This guitar has the feel of a more expensive guitar. The most expensive guitar doesn't always play and sound the best.So play the all before buying one.

Mine is a 1997, pretty much unplayed newish condition (NOT broken in or benefitting much from 9 years of ageing.) I bought it yesterday. Vinyl had not even been peeled off pickguard. Plenty of reviews here with details of features. I advise you to read ALL reviews. Or you could just take my word for it and buy the thing and you'll have more time left to practice.
("Shut up and play your guitar" - Frank Zappa)

I have been a pro player for over forty years. I knew within thirty seconds that this guitar had the classic Martin sound, that was all I needed to know. I also own an original 1935 Herringbone D-28 (that I have played regularly since 1971) that is the best acoustic I have ever heard anywhere. The HD-28 is pretty much just as good.
With all due respect, I think that the people who talk about the nut, saddle and bridge-pin material are splitting hairs. I don't doubt that these improvements help, but I personally don't care. This guitar sounds good enough for me as it is, and I am pretty spoiled. I also believe that a OOO-28 (which I have owned) like the Clapton model may be generally better for strictly finger style for some folks (definitely better for folks who find the dreadnaught too large), but I believe that a lighter touch on a dreadnaught will work just as well for many, as well as myself. You can always play a loud guitar quietly, but the reverse is not really true. You see lots of fingerpickers with dreadnaughts, but did you ever see a bluegrass/flatpicker in a band with a OOO? With proper playing skills, this guitar does it all. Maybe a thuddier guitar is better for old-time blues or ragtime where the overtones, sustain and richness are not required; or a resonater for slide, but all can be done on this type of guitar. I own lots of guitars, and even delta slide has an interesting quality on a good Martin....A National will sound more traditional, but Blind Blake or Rob't Johnson played on a good Martin brings something new to the party; don't knock it if you haven't tried it.....(I doubt if Doc Watson rags would get a similar result played on an old Duolian.)
I play all the styles mentioned above in depth, especially old-time and modern finger styles.

It is my understanding that if you want really smooth action, you give up some tone. Methinks there is no free lunch. Of all the guitars mentioned in these reviews, the Martin is probably the hardest to play. I say, get over it. Want an easier guitar to play? Get a Gibson or a Taylor. Or play the piano. It is a give-and-take world.
My trade off is that I use light guage strings. I haven't been able to handle mediums since I discovered electric guitar decades ago (with Super-Slinky strings). I learned to play on Mediums, and I miss the tone, but I play both acoustic and electric both on the same day.....and lights are a little easier on the structure of the guitar. As I stated, this guitar is as good as you need even with light strings, cheap bridge pins and a plastic nut and saddle. I say, in closing, to work on your chops more and trust Martin to build a good guitar. They seem to know what they're doing, and also have had 173 years of experience (not counting the old country). This particular model was released in 1933 or 1934 depending on who you talk to, so they have pretty much worked the bugs out by now.

People complain about the finish. You can get a thick shiny bullet-proof finish, or you can get a more fragile thin finish that will sound better, such as the HD-28. If you want a structurally stronger (heavier bracing) and heavier finished guitar, buy a regular D-28.
Remember, a plywood top guitar is much stronger and more resistant to cracks. I used to own a genuine all plywood Stella guitar, and it needed no case, and was sometimes a better choice than a Martin in some severe playing environments. And over $2000 cheaper. A bulldozer is not a sportscar, and both can come in handy at the right time. For what it is, this guitar is real solid. My 1935 is still suitable as a daily player, although there is not a lot of finish left. I could refinish it, but I like the tone as it is. Other than that, it is as sound as the newer one. Seems like they build 'em to last.....

I don't remember how many Martins I have owned, maybe six or eight (including a 000-28, D-28S and a D-18 all back in the sixties), and I have never had a new one with a warranty in place (well, once....). But the few times I have had occasion to speak to the factory, they seemed like they were sitting around and hoping I would call and took all the care and time I could have hoped for. I will say that it has been many years since I have had contact with the factory, but based on limited experience, I give them the highest rating. Dignity is hard to find, and the Martin folks reek of it. This is one of several reasons that I have remained a Martin player. They seem to take appropriate pride in their work, and respect their customers. I understand that this has not always been the case (we all wander from the true path at some point, don't we?), but all reports indicate that is in the past.
I have had the neck reset two or three times by certified Martin repair guys on my 1935 D-28, and it could probably use it again (Keeping in mind that is over a 35 year period of pretty hard and steady use, and travelling including lots of hitch-hiking "back in the day"). Hopefully the adjustable truss rod on the newer ones (since 1985 or so)will eliminate the need for some of that.
By the way, unlike an incorrect statement in a much earlier review on this page, the D-28 has always had a braced (rod or bar) in the neck of metal or ebony. They just weren't adjustable in the older ones.

I own too much gear to list, and I am actually quite poor even though I own some valuable instruments. I have been a pro acoustic and electric player since the mid sixties. I play a '64 Strat, '66 Tele, '74 LP Black Custom, 1920's Premier (English) frailing banjo, Coral Sitar (Jerry Jones reissue), several resonator guitars, etc. in addition to mandolins, keyboards, basses, drums, harmonicas, bells, whistles, squeak toys, etc.
Even a mediocre Martin is worth the money. The slowest race horse is still lots faster than a plow horse. Some Martins are better than others, and Martin has had a few bad years (long ago) when they proved that they are humans, not gods. But I would buy a Martin mail order if I had to.....like sex and pizza, they're all good - but some are better. And unless you have money to burn on snowflake inlay or you really must have a V-neck or ten pounds of pearl on your guitar like Porter Wagoner's outfit, the HD-28 will do you quite nicely.

Work on your chops.....

You probably know all this already. Nothing fancy, but it's got everything it needs for amazing tone, which is wha's important.

Simply, the guitar sounds amazing. Very well balanced, bass, mids, and treble all come out very clearly but don't step on each other at all. Sounds especially nice capoed up a few frets. I got the guitar about 2 and a half years ago and I have noticed it starting to open up since I play it a lot.

Setup was great when I bought it. Action might be a little high for some people but I like it that way. The guitar is put together perfectly. No frills, but I'm more interested in sound and I still would consider it a very attractive guitar.

Very reliable. Has even taken a few spills, but never was hurt.

Haven't had to deal with them since there have been no problems.

I've been playing guitar since I was 12 (about 8 years). I started on a Squire Strat and got a crappy acoustic a year later. After taking more interest in acoustic, I eventually got this one, and it is all I will need for the rest of my life, especially since the tone only gets better as the guitar ages.

It was made 6/05/06 In the U.S.A. It has 20 Frets, a solid top, Body & sides are Indina rosewood, neck is Mahogany, finish is transparent with a Amber sunburst top, body is a dreadnouhgt and it came with a hard case

the sound is rich&full and it suits my style very will. (bulegrass)

the set-up was to high for me but I`am a finger picker. the bookmatch on the top was very good & the bridge was dead on. thier was no flaws.

This guitar is very well build & has good hardware the finish is good (I got the Amber sunburst top) I would use without a backup.

The warranty is life time for Martin and one yr. with Elderly.

I have been playing for 35yrs.I have a Epiphone PR350/SR & a Carvin & a Epiphone Les Paul. if it were stolen I would replace it. I looked at talyor`s,santa cruz,collings & larrivee befor I buing this guitar & for the price it was the best buy