Martin HD-28 Acoustic

I believe this to be a 1999 or 2000. I bought it in spring 2000. I got it through a catalogue, and it came UPS.It was wrapped in plastic
in the case. The case was set on a hard piece of cardboard and that was also covered in a thick plastic and inside of another shipping box. THE THING WAS EVEN IN TUNE!!! when I opened the box. The Guitar is a 14 fret neck, with solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, a solid Spruce top and Herringbone inlay. The only drawback I think would be the plastic pins. I felt for a upper level guitar that it would be bone.

The sound is unmistakably Martin. I've tried a wide variety of strings and guages and find it doesn't like the brighter strings as much as some of the more mellow strings.I've also noticed the light strings tend to lose the high end when I play with more power. the balance is better with medium strings. But, I love the sound that comes from this guitar. My style is Bluegrass/country Gospel.This is THE guitar.

The finish on this was beautiful, the bookmatched topis impeckable.The boys at the factory really do a great job. I could find NO flaws in the finish or any run over with the glueing on the braces,,, it's just beautiful.
The action however, I think could be better. I played one in the local music store that was great, however this one seems to be high. I believe it's to accomidate medium guage strings, but I have short fingers and with the wider neck, medium gets a little tough on the hands during power picking.

This is the only guitar I take to jobs. There is no need for a backup.
This is a Martin. I believe its built to last. I've seen many Martins at Bluegrass festivals that are 50 years old and more.
I do believe the finish is a little fragile. I see many guitars with finish cracks from heat and cold and many others that the finish is wearing off. But personally, I think it adds character to the guitar

I believe the warranty is only as good as the representative. The company has a lifetime warranty on this guitar, but the average Joe won't want to lose his guitar for however long it takes to send it off to get fixed, so they go to AL's bait and luthier shop. The company is great tho and will try their best to help.

I have been playing for close to forty years, this is my first Martin. It was worth the wait. I own a 74 Telecaster, a Peavey Amp,
a 1935 Dobro, a 1923 Gibson mandolin, a couple banjos etc, etc,
I wish i could have found in my area this guitar with a smaller neck, only for playing comfort.If it were lost or stolen, I would get another. I think the thing I love the most about this guitar is the prestige. I'm a pretty good picker but it seems that I had to try just that much harder before someone would notice. Now I can walk in and automatically get respect just by opening the case. Unless you experience this, you may not believe it, but it's true. They just know you mean buisness when you have this.

I purchased this guitar new in Feb. of 1995. This model has long been the most popular in the Martin line. It has an Indian rosewood body, solid sitka spruce top,an unbound ebony fretboard and Schaller tuners. The finish on mine is gloss nitrocellulose and the mahogany neck has a gloss finish as well. It has the modern "low profile" neck with a 1 11/16" nut width. It came with the standard factory case.

I had previously owned a 1969 D35 with a 3 piece Brazillian Rosewood back. In a period of great financial stress I sold the guitar and, literally, cried as the new owner drove away. Better times arrived, yet I never really believed I would find a guitar that would match the D35's tone. I was wrong. My new Martin had a tone that not only had all the bottom end of the Brazillian, but a much better(clearer,brighter) treble. Overall, I would rate it superior to the '69 D35. It is a very versatile instrument that responds well to both flatpick and fingerpicking styles. I have no problem generating a lot of volume when I need it or appreciating the quiet, subtle tones it is capable of. The sound is the HD 28's best feature, in my opinion.

Action was set up a bit high for my taste, but it was easily corrected. The back/sides/top were perfectly bookmatched and the top shows a lot of "meduliary rays". There was one small finish "bump" on the neck that has since played away. I think that the factory bridge pins are cheap and should be of a better quality in this price range.I will replace them and perhaps the nut and bridge as well.The heel cap is cheap looking. Fit of all parts is excellent. In a period of insanity, I ordered and paid a huge sum for a custom built ,12 fret D from a very well respected luthier. After waiting 8 months, the guitar arrived. In comparison to my Martin, I was underwhelmed. I understand that hand made guitars have "character flaws". I still think that the Martin is superior. But for the cheap parts mentioned, I would have rated it higher.

After nearly 6 years of daily playing, it has no cracks or physical deformaties. The frets have worn some and the fretboard shows a bit of wear in the 1st position. Hardware is as new, the finish is perfect except for a small ding my son made in the top. I am not a professional musician, but I have played it "out" quite a bit. I have no reason to think it unreliable. I currently have no other backup.( I sold my custom D, at a profit!)

I have never had to call customer support, so I cannot comment or rate.

I have been playing since 1963. I have owned several guitars including a Yamaha classical, Harmony classical, Gibson 335 TD, Danelectro electric, 1969 Martin D35, Fender standard American Strat, the custom 12-Fret D and my HD 28. The only thing I would change on the HD 28 is that I would prefer a 1 3/4" nut width. That can be ordered custom, but not "off the rack". If it were lost or stolen I would purchase another Martin, but I might look at a used model with the 1 3/4" nut. I have looked at new HD 28's and they do not seem to have as high a quality of Rosewood as mine...but that may just be my own prejudice showing. I love the sound that has only improved over the 6 years that I have owned it and the workmanship. I hate the tuners and will replace them and bridge pins/nut/saddle someday. My favotite feature is simply the tone. It is perfect, as far as I am concerned.I have compared it to Taylors which, while they are wonderful feeling instruments, do not sound as good to my ears as Martins. I have also tried Larivee's, Gibsons and Guilds. None compare, for me. If I could have the wider nut width, it would be perfect. For the type of music I play (Bluegrass, folk rock, blues, Celtic, some fingerstyle)the HD 28 is a good "all around" instrument.

Made in good old Nazareth, PA in January 1996. I bought it four months later right out of the box. I don't remember what I actually paid for it. I traded a 1983 D-35 and (I think)about $500 cash. Solid rosewood back and sides, solid sitka spruce top with herringbone trim and scalloped braces. Can't say there's anything outstanding about the features, it's a Martin Dreadnought...that pretty well sums it up.

They say a Martin doesn't get its full voice until it has been played about 10 years. Well I can't wait until this baby grows up, because the tone and timbre are already outstanding after only four years. It sounded better in the store than the D-45 I compared it to, and it's much better than the D-35 I traded. The D-35 had a very boomy bass, a subdued midrange, and a mellow treble. The HD-28 has a much more balanced sound. The bass is loud and strong but not at all boomy. The mids are sharp and clear and the high end really sparkles. I play a mixed bag of acoustic music...some folk, bluegrass, blues, rock and whatever else I find interesting. I find the Martin tone not only suitable for all of it, but really easy to listen to for long periods of time. I'd say if you're into modern country, you won't be that satisfied with this guitar unless you fit it with a pickup and then EQ a sharper high end into it. Martins just don't have that sharp high-end bite that's popular today. I tend to be a purist about such things. I prefer to mike the guitar rather than take its virginity away by installing a pickup where God and C. F. Martin never intended! For my taste the HD-28 has a rich full sound that I don't feel needs improving.

Action, fit, and finish were flawless from the factory. Martins tend to be set with a higher action (in my opinion) than would have to be. But, when you consider they are intended (at least the Dreadnoughts are)to be used as a rhythm instrument for vocal accompaniment, it makes sense to have the action slightly higher.

I've been playing Martins for 20 years, and I've never had one fail under any circumstances. They are built rugged as hell and made to be played. Just watch the heat and humidity that you subject them to. And, of course, watch out for airport baggage handlers who can somehow destroy anything! Backup at a gig? Nah...just have an extra set of strings handy. That's all I've ever had break on a Martin.

Lifetime warranty. Never had to deal with the factory on this guitar, but I have on a couple of my others. Anytime I've called they made me feel like I was part of their family. I hope the stay in business another 170 years!

I've been playing for about 35 years. I used to think Gibson was good, until I bought two duds in a row from them and finally tried a Martin. I've owned a D-18 and D-35, both purchased new, and a 1939 OOO-18 bought used. The OOO-18 was in a class by itself, but the HD-28 is by far the best sounding and best playing Dreadnought I've owned. I intend to take this one with me to my grave. If it were ever stolen or destroyed ( I doubt ever lost) I'd attempt to replace it with another one.

My HD-28 was made in 1993. It is made in the USA. It is a standard drednought with solid sitka spruce top. The neck is one piece mahogany, back and sides of Indian Rosewood, and the fret board is ebony. It has a 25.4" scale length. The tuners are made by Schaller. The H stands for herringbone trim around the top. It also has scalloped braces. It came with a Martin thermoplastic hardshell case.

The sound is great. When I solo I usually finger pick and when I play in groups I play rhythm. I play a variety of Rock and folk. I go through a Carvin AG100 acoustic amp or plug direct into the PA. I use a Fishmen under the saddle pickup.
I would describe the sound as a deep and full sound. It has a lot of sustain in the low end with out being boomy. It sounds great unplugged or in front of a mike but sounds like any other acoustic with the pickup.

The action was to low when I got the guitar and I would get buzz when I strummed hard so I shimed it up. It makes it a little hard to play up past the 10th fret. I also had to raise the D and G strings at the nut.
The bookmatching on the top is great. It has some bear claw in it that makes it look like it is not bookmatched but I like it. The finish on the bass side of the neck has been flaking off and there is a worn spot from my hand on the back of the neck. After I had the guitar for 6 months the bridge started to pull off. I had it repaired at Player Music in Texas for about $30. I've never had any more problems.

Other than the bridge pulling loose I've had no major problems with this guitar. I play it a lot. I lead worship with it at my church every week plus I play in a band. I've also traveled with it to Europe and Africa. I did not get along well with thermoplastic case in traveling. It started to not fit right when it was closed and the top was not arched so it did not give much protection from things like kids standing on it. (It does happen now and again) Last year I bought a Geib style case from Martin for $150. It a five ply arched top wooden case and it works great. Its the case I used to take my guitar to Africa. The Schaller tuners are great. I have never done anything to them and they seem to hold solid.

Martin has been very friendly when I have talked to them and will answer any questions you have. My guitar was not under warranty when I had work done on it.

I have been playing for 24 years. My other guitars are a Baby Taylor, a Yamaha 365sII acoustic, a Guild B30 acoustic bass and a Electra Omega electric. I don't know if I would buy another HD-28 if it were stolen. To me there is something special about this one and another HD-28 would feel like a copy. I would look into some other brands like Collins, or Taylor. I would get a guitar with mahogany back and sides if I buy another one. What I love about my guitar is that it inspires me to play and write music. I looks great too. I hated the original case and it is a little hard to play some chords up the neck. My favorite feature is the bear claw top. I compared this guitar to lots of other guitars. Santa Cruz, Taylor, Breedlove, Larivee, Gibson, Guild, Louden, Goodall ect.. I wish I had played a Collings first. The reason I bought this one was that it sounded great and my wife loved it. I've had many people tell me that its the best sounding guitar they have ever heard.

BOUGHT NEW 6/2/99.IT HAS SOLID WOOD ALL AROUND. TOP IS SITKA SPRUCE,BACK AND SIDES IS EAST INDIAN ROSEWOOD,NECK IS MAHOGONY WITH SATIN FINISH WITH EBONY FRETBOARD.HAS HERRINGBONE AROUND BINDING WITH SCALLOPED BRACING.

THIS GUITAR HAS THE BEST ACOUSTIC SOUND I'VE EVER HEARD. IT'S SUCH A WARM GUITAR WITH AWESOME BASS RESPONSE AND CLEAR TREBLE RESPONSE.IT'S GREAT FOR THE FINGER STYLE I PLAY LIKE KENNY LOGGINS, JAMES TAYLOR, AND ALSO THE FLAT PICKING STUFF I PLAY, CLAPTON,BEATLES,PINK FLOYD. IT IS SO RICH AND RESONANT I CAN PLAY ALL DAY. THE GUITAR EVEN SMELLS NICE, IT'S GOT THAT REAL WOOD SCENT.

THE SET UP WAS GREAT. THE ACTION WAS PERFECT FOR AN ACOUSTIC. IT CAME WITH MEDIUM GUAGE STRINGS WHICH TOOK ME TIME GETTING USED TO BUT THE TONE IS INDEED SUPERIOR, I'LL DEFINITELY STICK WITH THEM AND BUILD UP MY STRENGTH. IT DOES BUZ A BIT ON THE A STRING BUT ALL NEW GUITARS WILL HAVE SOME BUZZING AND I'LL GET IT SET UP SOON ANYWAY SO I AM NOT CONCERNED.THE FRETS ARE FLAWLESS,THE FINISH IS SUPERB,THE WOODWORK IS EXCELLANT.

THIS IS A MARTIN SO THIS IS GOING TO LAST. A CONCERN THAT THE MARTIN BROCHURE MENTIONED IS TO BE CAUTIOUS WITH THE FINISH. A STRAP ACROSS THE TOP COULD RUIN THE FINISH SO PRECAUITIONS ARE IN ORDER. OTHER THAN THAT THIS GUITAR IS BUILT SOLID. I HAVE A HUMIDIFIER FOR THE DRY WEATHER AND I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE WITH MY GUILD THAT GUITARS WILL CRACK IF TOO DRY.

I CONTACTED THEM USING THEIR 800 #, WHICH BY THE WAY IS RARE, AND THEY ARE SUPER. I CALLED THEM ASKING ABOUT THE STRAP AND WHICH STRAP THEY RECOMMENDED AND THEY WERE HELPFUL. I CALLED PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE ASKING THEM ABOUT DIFFERENCES IN MODELS AND THEY EXPLAINED IT TO ME.

I HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR 17 YEARS AND I OWN A GUILD J55 12 STRINGS WHICH IS AN AWESOME GUITAR,AN OVATION BALLADEER WHICH I USE FOR GIGS,FENDER DELUXE STRAT,LES PAUL,MARSHALL,FENDER AND CARVIN AMPS.I SPENT A FEW MONTHS COMPARING THE MARTINS WITH OTHERS.I TRIED TAYLORS AND I FOUND THEM PLAYABLE BUT I FOUND THE MARTINS HAD MORE RICHNESS IN TONE.I LIKED THE WARMTH AND BOTTOM END OF THE MARTINS BETTER THAN THE TAYLORS.THE BOLT ON NECKS OF THE TAYLORS DEFINITELY EFFECTS THE TONE AND VALUE IN MY OPINION. I THINK IF I WERE GOING FOR SOMETHING FOR GIGGING I MAY HAVE WENT FOR THE TAYLORS SINCE THEY HAVE NICE FEATURES ON THEIR GUITARS.I AM STILL UNSURE IF I WANT A PICK UP IN THIS GUITAR. I WENT TOTALLY TRADITIONAL THIS TIME AROUND. I WANTED A REAL NICE ACOUSTIC WITH NOTHING BUT TONE AS ITS FEATURE AND I KNOW I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. I WAS LOOKING AT THE D35 AND I LIKED THE BASS RESPONSE BUT IT WAS A LITTLE TOO MUCH BASS FOR ME. I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE TRIED THE HD35 BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE. I ALSO TRIED THE HIGHER END STUFF LIKE THE D41 AND D45. NOW THEY HAD SOME AWESOME ABOLONE ORNAMENTATION BUT IT WAS WAY EXPENSIVE AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT I FOUND THE HD28 TONE A LITTLE LOOSER SOUNDING WHICH IS WHAT I LIKE.I LOVE THE TONE OF THIS GUITAR AND IT PLAYS NICE AS WELL. TRUE IT'S NOT AS LOW PROFILE AS A TAYLOR BUT I AM USED TO GUILDS AND GIBSONS SO FATTER NECKS DON'T BOTHER ME.I WOULD GET THIS GUITAR AGAIN IF LOST OR STOLEN. IT'S AN EXPENSIVE GUITAR BUT WHEN YOU PLAY JUNK FOR YEARS AND YOU REALIZE YOU LOSE MONEY FROM TRADING AND SELLING,YOU DON'T MIND SPENDING ON A GUITAR YOU WILL KEEP FOR GOOD.

1989, made in Nazareth Pa., Gloss Finish, Rosewood Back & Sides, Sitka Spruce Top, Mahogony neck, Rosewood Veneer on Peg Head. Schaller Tuners with Martin logo engraved. Standard Martin Black Case. I bought the guitar brand, spanking new.
In this review I set 10 as 'good as it could get' I set 1 as 'bad as it could get'

The guitar always sounded good. However, after having fossilized ivory setup on the saddle, nut and bridge pins, the sound really developed. The 'micarta' Martin used on my guitar was cheap, and muddy sounding (in my opinion) compared to the ivory.
This guitar can 'cut through'. Volume is not really a problem. Very well balanced. Very loud and open. It is a pleasure to play.
I like the way it vibrates from any sound in the room. The sound is what really sets Martins apart. In my opinion, they are the best sounding acoustic guitars for the money.

Here is where I can really gripe. The action from the factory was not good. I had string buzz. Also the strings were skewed toward the treble side of the neck, resulting in misfretting the high 'e' string off the neck if I wasn't careful. However, my ivory setup corrected all these problems. Concerning the finish. It is very bad for a 'qualilty guitar'. The finish is bad about flaking off, especially around the body and neck. For some reason, Martins made around this time seem to have finish problems. I have seen several.
I had an initial problem with the handle on the case coming off, which I fixed myself.
Martin frets are smooth and last longer than some of guitar frets I've played.

I really have not played this guitar much outside of my house. However, I have confidence in it's reliability. Also, several of my friends have martins, and all seem very durable.
Other than the finish problems, it has been a durable guitar

I used a local Martin authorized repair person in Raleigh, NC to work on my finish flaking off around my neck and fretboard area. The work was unsatisfactory! I called Martin, they were cordial and recommended I send the guitar to them. I fixed it myself. I have seen repair work from Martin which is impecable. I am skeptical of their 'authorized' repair people after my experience. I think Martin should do a better job of approving the repair centers.

Like I said, Martins are the best for the money. Even with the problems I have had, this is still my primary acoustic guitar and playing it is a dream.

This is a 1994 martin HD-28. Solid woods throughout, of course, with a Sitka top that has an amazing amount of "bear claw" in it. Beautiful Schaller tuners - the best I've ever seen on an acoustic. Martin factory case, which I've had no problems with.

I play both flat pick and finger style on this instrument, which is set up with medium strings. All the power you could ever want with flat pick, as well as subtlety. Like most Martins, the balance of tone, (low to high up on the neck) is very good. Since about '92, all Martins have a truss rod, and because of the truss rod, they went to a "Lower Profile" neck. As compared to the older Martins, it is a much more slender neck, but don't be expecting a Taylor neck - it's thicker than that. Neck is comfortable over a long playing period. The back of the neck is satin finished - nice. Balance of the guitar is finished with high-gloss lacquer - don't know if it's nitro, acrylic, etc. Sturdy, though.

Setup was OK as received, except for a shim under the bridge which I didn't want, and haven't needed (4 years). Workmanship was flawless.

Instrument will only improve with age, and given due care, (spruce is SOFT!), should last several lifetimes. I've gigged with it many times as my only instrument.

Never any problems - company people are very cordial on the phone for questions, etc. Buy from the large volume dealers - NEVER pay "factory list" for a Martin. This guitar currently lists about $2450, but if you can't get it for c. $1800, you ain't trying very hard.

If I lost this instrument, I'd go into hock to replace it immediately.

Built in 1981, Nazareth, PA. Typical dreadnaught shape, 14 frets to the body. Like all the HD-28s, solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides (Indian, in this case) with herringbone purfling, scalloped bracing and a small maple bridgeplate that all require use of light or medium strings.

Sound is extraordinary. Big, full, complex, with plenty of overtones. Tone has gotten better over the years, just as you would expect it to. Punchy, not a lot of sustain. Very responsive, lots of volume if you want it.

All internal build details very clean. Great housekeeping. A less than wonderful factory set up, however, with the action too high at both the bridge and nut, making this guitbox a bear to play. Easily repaired, now, with the action set low for use with light strings. Mediums caused the bridge to belly; can't have that. Frets have been terrific.Very nicely done. Ebony fretboard has work a bit under the strings, however. Fingertip divots. Odd, that. The plastic cases that came with these guitars, and I guess still do, are cheesy. Wish it was a Calton.

Works very well, have to be careful miking it, as (like all many rosewood guitars) it can get boomy...which is the reason some players prefer mahogany Martins. Finish is very high quality, but after all this time the guitar definately shows signs of use. Tuners, (I think they're Grovers) are solid, but not as sensitive to small inputs as the openback vintage tuners on my 00-21, oddly.

I've had no problem at all with this guitar that has required factory support. When I've called the factory to ask questions, they've been nicely responsive.

Been playing for 35 years. Own a 1962 Martin 00-21, a '93 Tom Anderson Droptop Classic, a Vega VIP 5-string bluegrass banjo.When I bought this box, it was the only one in the store, so I was unable to play and compare. I got very lucky indeed. It sounds as good, to my humble ears, as the Collings and Bourgeois boxes I've a/b compared it to. If it was lost or stolen? I'd cry, bigtime. Then I'd immediatly replace it.

Style 28 Herringbone 1996 USA 20 Frets Solid Top Acoustic No pickup Indian Rosewood back and sides, spruce top Gloss finish Dreadnought Enclosed Tuners P style neck

Great sound under many conditions Extremely loud Sounds best with medium strings (don't give in to lights)

This one was perfect (100%) although you should really check to make sure no problems. I have seen defects on other Martins I purchased. Be careful here.

Finish looks durable I keep it clean, should last

I think the system of warranty repair centers really stinks in my area. They are scattered all over the place. They should make relationships with large guitar dealers rather than independent repairmen working out of their houses.
Other than that they are good on the phone etc.

I've played 20 years. Other guitars. Give it an 8.5. If stolen I would be pissed. This guitar will improve every year.
Best feature is fret and fretboard, simply a pleasure to play. Worst feature is neck shape.

1997-98 model? Not quite sure. Probably a 1998. Solid Sitka Spruce top, bookmatched Indian Rosewood back and sides. Ebony fretboard. Dreadnought style. "The dreadnought", as far as most people are concerned. Comes with a hard shell case. There is a herringbone inlay around the outside of the top, thus the "H" from the HD-28 model name. Supposedly, the inlay was all done by hand. The grain of the spruce top looks incredible.

Sound is incredible. Good, deep, rich bass. The highs are extremely clear. Important if you're trying to immitate the style of Michael Hedges.

Set up perfectly. Craftmanship is excellent. No extra glue seen inside the body.

Couple of unexpexted scratches have shown up. I'm more worried about the sound than the looks, though.

Haven't had to deal with.

Overall, a great guitar. List price is like $2,700 but you'll buy it for less than half of that. That's the Martin way. The guitar's appearance is beat only by its sound.