Martin HD28VR

Mine is a Martin HD28 not an HD28VR, but despite several attempts I kept ending up here, so will continue on. Sitka spruce top, Indian rosewood sides and back, ebony fingerboard and bridge, scalloped bracing, rosewood peghead, no electronics, 14 frets to the body, standard Martin long scale, proudly made in Nazareth, PA, by the CFMartin Co., the longest single family owned corporation in the USA.
Believe it is a 1994 version.

Just like it is supposed to sound. Bright, loud, boomy and lots of bass. I have been trending towards smaller body guitars the last ten years or so, but it would be hard to imagine not having this one. It reperesents an icon to me. Always wanted a D-28 since seeing the Kingston Trio the first time, and when I had the money to get one, the HD28 sounded even better. Mostly like to play with finger picks and this guitar sounds the best to me played in open positions at the first three frets. Not that it sounds bad up the neck. More than anything, I just love the way that it looks. Just perfect.

Everything was fine except it took a while to adjust to my house. I had to have the action adjusted three times. Since then it has been fine. No problems in any way. Workmanship is perfect, finish is perfect, and the back and sides have more figure than you normally see with Indian Rosewood. Just beautiful. Reminds me of a Brazilian D28 that I let escape from me many years ago before I properly appreciated it.

All yes.

No repairs needed other than the neck adjustment. Elderly did that for free the first couple of times. I paid for one. Martin warranty is for life of instrument if you are the original purchaser and register it, which I did. Both Martin and Elderly are excellent in my opinion. I don't know of many other things that have lifetime warranties. Zippo lighters and Cross pens come to mind.

Playing nearly 50 years. Have lots of guitars and banjos and other instruments. If I lost this one I might replace it with another or maybe a 000-18 for the shorter scale and my aging wrists. I use light gauge phospher bronze strings which do not take full advantage of the instrument, but it is easier to play. I would not change anything on it. It is the quintessential acoustic guitar in my opinion. Wish I could give it an 11.

Vintage tinted Satin finish of Engleman Spruce Top. Dreadnought body Made of vintage Brazillian Rosewood. Fretboard is Dark Ebony with Snowflake MOP markers. Tuning pegs, open back butterbean vintage style. Neck is V shaped. Vintage style pre-war bracing.

Sound is awesome if you tap on the top it rings like a piano. The body vibrates and sustains when playing chords. Just what you would expect from a D28. The action is low and easy to play

The guitar was set up perfectly. Action was not too low or high. I found it to be very easy to play with no buzzing. The fit and finish of the guitar was what I expected for a guitar this pricey.

I think it's as durable as any high quality dreadnought. The finish is thin yet sturdy it allows the top to breath. Hardware seems as good as it was when I bought it. I see no adverse effects with ageing.

The warranty is an issue. I haven't had to have it repaired, but the warranty is to short. It should be last at least 5 years IMHO. Other companies like CARVIN have a 5 year warranty. I can't speak to how Martin is when or if you do need repairs. Never had to deal with that.

I've been playing on and off for 42 years. I've owned many guitars over those years. I've played live from coast to coast. I still think of myself as a student. I played many guitars before I picked this one. I waited 6 years before I'm posting this review. This is a wonderful high quality instrument. Professional in every respect. If it where lost or stolen, after crying alot, I would look for another. Although I probably could not afford to buy another one because they are no longer made.

Martin HD28VR with 'custom' Engleman spruce top. Supposedly a reproduction of the 'old time' Martin D-28. The satin type finish is extremely prone to collecting scratches and dents. Sounded great when I bought it from the shop of Harry & Jeanie West , now in Statesville, NC.

Once home with the 'prize' it didn't take a lot of playing to note the action needed work. Not a problem, I thought. Found that Martin had decided to glue the saddle into the base. No way, without major risk, to get this thing out at home for some action adjustment.

Started looking at the neck and found, what else can happen, the nut is already torqued down in there so hard it is beyond belief.

Took to the 'certified' Martin repair guy and he says, of course, the guitar is within specs. Really? The neck is minimally adjustable so that is 'within specs'? I've got just at 3/32 of saddle protrusion, low as you can or should go.

If I want even 1 or 2/32 higher (much more adavantageous string break for best sound) I lose cause there's not enough to work with in adjusting the neck.

From my experience with the 'Martin Warranty' it is almost worthless. No matter what problem you present to the rep he blows it off with any number of excuses. It's your fault once you've brought it home.

If you are a Martin fanatic then it would be a great guitar for you. If you are serious about having an instrument able to be maintained and correctly adjusted with minimum problems well, check out a Taylor or something along those lines.

Tone? Loud, boomy, muddy with everything on the bottom end and nothing in the trebles.

Loud, boomy, muddy with little treble

Pitiful setup from the factory.

On backside the inlay has areas of bleedover stain which they left that way.

Adjustable truss rod, NOT.

A light drawing of the fingernail across the top will produce a scratch.

You want to spend all your time hovering around this thing trying to maintain its' pristine shape??

You can take it out on a gig but its' going to be your babysitting job.

Anything wrong? Whatever it is in my experience it is either going to be 'not a problem' or 'it's your fault'.

Playing for decades, off and on.

Got a Taylor 510 which may not have the greatest tone in the world but it is steady, able and doesn't require constant companionship.