Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic 2084976

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

I acquired my HD-28 about six months ago, actually managed to find a mint used one locally. The guy had it sitting in the case for a couple of years and never played it. Restrung, put in the humidifier, and played some tunes. Very solid guitar, love the tone, very rich bass, loves to be strummed. The tone kind of blends to produce this very rich, warm sound. I absolutely love this guitar. Every day I have played it I am a little more impressed.

All the construction is sound, per martin's standard (at least the standard of their more expensive instruments, I have heard nasty things about the HD-28's cheaper counterparts). I replaced tusq with a bone saddle (not sure if that comes standard now? It wasn't on my 2009 model), which improved the already great tone by heaps.

The best thing about this guitar in my opinion, is that it is not a gimmick. It is not a "vintage" guitar, with aged toner and pre fabricated pick marks. It is the genuine article. Martin's genuine attempt at a quality guitar without any of the fancy sales pitches. It is exactly like a guitar I could have bought forty years ago and saved for my great grand kids, so that they could pass it on to theirs. It's not the most expensive, inlaid, and fancy martin guitar. But it is a genuine guitar, reminiscent of the great martins guitars of the past, without short-cutting the things that made the older martins great. Honest in appointment and construction, and great in tone and playability. A guitar with the potential to become the modern equivalent of a pre-war martin D-28.

Perhaps thats a little to romantic for a musicians friend review, but its how I feel about the thing. The sound is great, and getting better every day. Playability is top notch; More streamlined neck than the older martins it replicates, and stays in tune fine. Also looks like what a guitar should Clean build, not overly appointed with inlays and fancy scrollwork. Just plain quality.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

7 months ago in December 2013, I purchased a Used 1995 HD-28 in mint condition. The advantage to this purchase was the "28" was already 18 years old and so all the time required to "break in" an acoustic guitar was already completed, or so I thought. When I got it, the HD-28 was ready to play to nearly its potential. I almost said it had reached its tonal potential, but that would not be true. As I have played the HD-28 over the 7+ months I've owned it, it has gotten better and better and better, almost with each passing day.

I've been playing guitar for about 47 years, and I have owned and played many different brands and models including Gibsons, Breedloves, Takamines, Taylors, and others. While these are fine instruments, none of them can touch the Martin HD-28 for tone and potential tone.

I already owned two Martins, the D-17 solid Mahogany guitar polished with a nitrocellulose shiny finish, (no longer in production), and with its own warmer focused tonal palate; and a DCPA dreadnought cutaway with electronics. I purchased both of these new and it took a good 5 years each to break them in to where I was comfortable with the tones. They are still opening up their tones and getting better. And that's okay, that's the way a fine acoustic should be made. They are supposed to get better with age and use. Martins are made always with this in mind,

That is why the top-of-the-line Martin models have the more expensive price tags. They are for serious guitarists and only serious guitarists can justify spending that amount of money on an acoustic guitar - - the are going to have it for a long time and they are going to play it for a long time. That is certainly the case with my Martins, I will have them at my side for the rest of my life, however long that happens to be, and hopefully I will be able to add an HD-35 and an HD-45 to my arsenal. I have specific uses for all of them, so they will be tonally well-developed by the time I leave this mortal coil.

My professional recommendation is for guitarists to save up their money until they can afford first, an HD-28, followed by other Private Reserve Martin models and then give them the chance to be broken in over a period of years. I promise you your patience will be justified, and you won't be disappointed.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

Have played everything over the years... No I mean it! I had played a number of old D-28s and found the all great instruments, but Taylor had an allure. I was about to buy a Taylor 6 in about the same price range as the HD-28, but I was able to do an A/B with an HD28 in a store that carried both product lines. The HD-28 was louder, warmer and more articulate than the Taylor; and oh yeah, the Martin stayed in tune during the whole demo unlike the Taylor (a problem I have encountered during performances with many borrowed Taylors even the 800 series.) I bought the Martin and had a Fishman Matrix Infinity pu installed and it sounds astounding.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

Why did I wait 35 years to buy a quality instrument? I dunno but many regrets I didn't do this earlier. What a sound!

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

Close to perfect as you will get for the price.
This guitar's features are true to a Pre-war Martin D-28. The tonewoods are fantastic! The fit and finish is PERFECT!
You can't do better than a Martin for quality.
Considering the price of Vintage herringbone Martin's, this guitar is priced too low. What a deal! Forget buying a vintage martin from the 70's or 80's. Most of them are weak compared to the sound of this guitar. A Vintage D-28 that sounds as good as this would cost you a Fortune! If you want true Martin Dreadnaught sound, look no further!

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

I've been eyeballing this guitar for years. My Dad had a '62 D28 (Brazilian), and I guess I've been trying to find one that sounds like that. I have a J45 that comes close. I had played a great D 35 and was saving up for it. I went to the Guitar Center in Pueblo and A/B tested the D 35 and the HD 28. It was not night and day, but the HD 28 sounded better and felt better. When I got it home I was afraid that it might sound so much nicer than the Gibson that I wouldn't play the J 45 much anymore. However, I found subtle differences make them both great companions. When strumming chords the HD is louder and the notes blend beautifully, The J 45 has clearer separation between the individual strings. Also the J 45 is 1/16 wider both at the nut and at the bridge making finger picking a shade easier, whereas the HD28 is a bit more relaxed. HD 28 has deeper bass (again, not night and day)and brighter highs, but neither seems unbalanced. No regrets, I'll keep them both.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

The HD-28 is a great guitar. I have a 1995 model that I bought new, so I have now owned this guitar for 17 years! It plays good, sounds big and also loves alt-tunings. If you are serious about your acoustic you should play this one. Everyone should have a D-28 and/or D-18 in their music room. It is great for rock, pop or bluegrass.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

Martin hit a home run with this guitar. It sounds absolutely fine. I've played higher-priced Martins, and although the tonewood quality for the higher-priced models (eg, D-45) may be a shade better (very hard to hear a difference), for the most part, you pay more on the higher-priced models for bling. Although it does not have any inlay, the HD-28 sounds exquisite. It's one of the best sounding guitars you'll find.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

I've had this guitar for five years now and it just keeps getting better with age. It sounded good when I got it, but the sound is really booming. If you can fork the cash, definetely get this guitar.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

I can not find a flaw with this guitar. I mean you are talking about the flagship of Martins here so you really don't expect problems. But I have been going through guitars like corn through a goose but this one has maintained its self and its position in the hierarcy in my collection.
I ran into a late 90s by accident when I had the money and a D 18 to trade. The deal was reasonable. I took it over to my buddy's house who has an older model and he says mine sounded better than his.
This is the one I bring when my A game is on.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

love the sound, I carried it to authorized martin dealer and had the action lowered, it did not take away from the great tone'
thanks martin for another great guitar

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

I owned the HD-28 I got fresh from the factory, took it home and played on it for a short time. This was the first guitar I bought. I had no idea what to look for. I took it in to get it set up and was told the neck needed to be reset. This is what happens after 30 years of playing. Martin knew that this was a pretty much a new guitar. They should have taken it back. I sent to Martin for a reset of the neck, and it came back with a gap between the neck and the body. Glue was showing through to. Martin is going to be left in the dust in a few years. This piece of junk should have never left the factory in the first place, let alone the poor craftsmanship trying to fix it.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

The feel of the neck for me is perfect! The the sound, keeps on improving over time as does the solid Spruce top.
I have a D-28 dreadnought bought new in 1974 and it's trulyy the nicest acoustic guitar I've ever owned, and worth every penny, and although I also have a D-40 and it may look nicer, it doesn't play any better than the D-28, in fact, I prefer the D-28 over the D-40. Either way, Martin just can't be beat for price in value. I've heard many people say,," I wished I would have spent a few more dollars and bought a Martin guitar" many, many times during my 55 years, but I've never heard anyone say, "oh, I should have saved money and bought X Brand guitar.Nobody regrets buying quality.
Excellent! On my D-40 which needed to have the bracing reglued, Marting was A-1 in the handling the warranty process from beginning to end and the guys at the Twelfth Fret here in Toronto did an excellent job repairing the D-40
Can't be beat! I've owned other expensive guitars but Martin is just that much better overall in value.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

contrary to most of the reviews for this guitar, i just thought it was an ok guitar. my low-end taylor guitar sounds and plays much better than this. if you want a really good martin go for the Martin J-40 that is an excellent guitar

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

I have owned mine since 1977, and would not trade it for anything. I have heard and played alot of other makes, but they don't have what this guitar has in sound. Even my other Martin owners of D35, 41 etc. like the sound of my HD28. I also have a 1962 J45 that comes close but not quite.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

This guitar has that rich deep tone I've come to expect from Martin. This thing just drips tone!!!

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

I bought a 1997 model off a friend for a good price. I was expecting a high quality instrument, but not one with as unique of tone as the one I bought! Beautiful East Indian rosewood back and sides, combined with a really nice Sitka Spruce top, this thing is really something all its own. The top is ridiculously responsive and gives off that legendary cannon tone of the golden era Martin D-18's and Herringbone D-28's. It's no pre-war, no, but for 2K I feel like I got a 4K luthier model, in a Standard Series! It's fitted with a K&K undersaddle pickup, so I use it for everything. Recording, jams, live in a dive bar or large auditorium.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

I took a risk when I bought my 2000 HD-28. I bought it without ever having played it, reckless, I know, but it was from a very prominent flatpicker that I know and trust and it turned out to be the best investment I've made in my gear. The neck is smooth and fast, the scalloped bracing lets the top ring out when picked hard, but also lets you hang back when you need to. In other words, the tone is very dynamic, much more so than a standard D-28. I have put it in a case, driven over mountain passes over hundreds of miles, through different climates, taken it out of the case, and it held tune all through that. The only area that this guitar falls short personally for me is that, even though it is a classic Martin model, it doesn't quite have the warmth that the vintage 28's and 35's have. However, I'm sure given time it will open up and warm up just like the ones of the past. The more I play it, the more I fall in love with it.

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

Quite simply the fullest sounding acoustic Guitar I have ever personally played or have seen played. Have 5 acoustics (Takamine, Ovation, Yamaha, Martin Glosstop)

Comments about Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic:

I've had my HD-28 for about two months now,and I can say 5 stars doesn't do it justice. I can't walk past this incredible guitar without picking it up. It screams "PLAY ME!" I have a Guild, Gibson, Takamine & a Taylor GS acoustic guitars, and with the exception of the Taylor, the others don't come close. Although the Taylor is a marvelous instrument (and I paid a few hundred dollars more for it than the HD-28.)I prefer the Martin.