In today’s article, we’re going to review one of the most iconic acoustic guitars of all time – the legendary Martin D28. Undoubtedly, this really popular high-level guitar should be an excellent fit for even the most demanding guitarists out there. But considering the price, is it actually worth the money?
Yes! Martin D28 is an exceptional acoustic guitar suitable for a wide range of genres. It’s definitely one of the best sounding guitars available on the market right now. The sound of D28 can be described as warm, balanced and clear. In addition, this model was used by some of the most famous musicians of all time.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what makes this guitar so special. Since I had the pleasure to test out this model in real life, I feel like I’m in a good spot to share my thoughts with you. Hopefully, today’s review will help you to understand if this Martin model is a good guitar for you and your needs.
My Experience With This Unique Guitar
Recently, I had the pleasure to test out this wonderful guitar. I spent a few days with it on my own and have to admit that it’s one of the best (or possibly THE best) acoustic guitar that I ever played. It’s a pretty big statement, but from what I’ve read online, a lot of people gets the same impression. The quality of this instrument is just incomparable.
The sound of Martin D28 is extremely warm, bright and resonant. There is something really magical about the tone of that guitar. Although getting this model won’t make you a better guitarist straight away, it will definitely inspire you to play and practice a lot more. Once you start playing, it’s really difficult to stop!
Of course, if you’ve been playing guitar for a while, you probably know that Martin is a truly legendary brand. Their attention to detail is absolutely amazing and every tiny detail of D28 is made with thorough precision. The D28 was ready to play straight out of the box and it didn’t require any setup.
My video review of this Martin will be available on my YouTube channel very soon – so if you’re interested, make sure to click the subscribe button to stay on top of things. Here’s an another really cool sound demo of this unique Martin guitar – feel free to check it out.
As you can see, it sounds really good. Whether you’re strumming with your pick or playing with your fingers, it creates a magical sound. And trust me, it sounds even better when you’re doing it in real life.
Specs & Pricing
Martin D28 features a solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides. This is a classic dreadnought guitar made of authentic wood. The D28 model is really comfortable to play due to its modern neck profile. In addition, it has a few small vintage details that significantly improve the overall look and feel of this guitar – that includes open-gear tuners, antique white accents and faux tortoise pickguard.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not cheap. Some people may say that it costs way too much for a guitar and there are a lot of other cheap alternatives out there. But the truth is that this is a high-end guitar, which is designed for the most demanding players out there.
In my opinion, the Martin D28 is not either overpriced or underpriced. If you’re looking for a guitar that features the best possible quality, this is the way to go. This is just the reality that we live in – the best equipment costs a lot.
Who Is It For?
Martin D28 will be a perfect choice for advanced and professional musicians who are looking for a top quality guitar suitable for live performances and studio sessions. Undoubtedly, even the most demanding musicians will be satisfied with the magic of the D28.
Of course, since it’s a really comfortable instrument, it’s also a great choice for beginners. Although amateurs won’t be able to use the full potential of that model, they will definitely enjoy and appreciate the comfortability and playability of this guitar. If you’re looking for your first guitar and you can afford it, it will also be an excellent choice.
The D28 model is very versatile when it comes to sound, so it will work well in a wide range of genres. That includes blues, country, folk, rock and many more. In my opinion, the D28 model will be also a great choice for singer-songwriters. In the end, a lot of amazing solo artists used it in the past!
Who Played On Martin D28?
It is worth mentioning that Martin D28 was used by some of the most legendary musicians of all time. That includes such artists as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Slash, John Frusciante and many, many more. Undoubtedly, the fact that so many famous musicians chose the D28 model is very inspiring.
As you can imagine, there is a simple reason why so many great artists chose Martin D28 – it’s just amazing!
Cheaper Alternatives?
Martin D28 is a dream guitar for a lot of musicians – that’s a fact. Nevertheless, sometimes we have to face the reality and acknowledge the fact that it’s just too expensive. If you’re facing that problem – don’t worry! There is a few really good alternatives out there.
Firstly, I’d like to recommend checking out Dowina Guitars – it’s a small Slovakian manufacturer of high quality acoustic and electric guitars. Their gear is far more affordable than Martin’s, but it still looks and sounds absolutely fantastic. I personally own one of their guitars and all I can say that after ten years of using, it’s still one of my favorites.
Gretsch Jim Dandy G9500 is another really cool option for those who are on a really tight budget. This is a parlor guitar, so it’s a little bit smaller than Martin D28, but it has a really cool vintage vibe. It works particularly well in folk and country genres, so if you’re into that kind of music, you should definitely check it out. In addition, it’s actually really cheap!
Other good and affordable models suitable for both beginners and more advanced players include Fender CD-60S, Dean AXS, Guild DS-240 and many more – you can find them all on my list of top 15 guitars for country, blues and folk.
Nevertheless, the truth is that no other guitar can compete with the Martin D28. In the end, it’s a dream guitar!
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FAQ
Why is the Martin D28 so popular?
Martin D28 is considered as one of the best acoustic guitars of all time. The reason why it’s so popular is really simple – legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan or Neil Young played a key role in popularizing it among the public. In addition, the D28 features the highest possible quality, so a lot of guitarists consider it as a holy grail among the guitars.
What does the D stand for in Martin guitars?
“D” stands for “dreadnought”, which is a specific guitar type. What’s important, other models by Martin follow the same pattern. As a result, J models mean Jumbo type, LX models mean Little Martin – and so on.
How much does the Martin D28 weigh?
It weighs around 4.68lbs (2.12kg). Still, the weigh of these guitars can also depend on the year that it was made – some older Martin guitars may weigh less than four pounds.
Where is Martin D28 made?
It is manufactured in the main factory that belongs to Martin Guitars, which is based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
Are Martin guitars hard to play?
Absolutely not! Martin guitars are actually really easy to play, because they feature extremely comfortable necks. In addition, the unique sound of their gear significantly improves the playability and comfortability.
Still, some people prefer using acoustic guitars with a really low string action, so if you are struggling with your Martin guitar, you can always adjust it and make it even more comfortable to play.
Do Martin guitars sound better with age?
Yes! There is a high chance that if you add this guitar to your collection, it will sound even better in years to come. The reason is very simple – when time passes, the guitars loose their moisture. As a result, they tend to sound more resonant, because they’re a little bit lighter. It’s a really slow process, but if you maintain your guitar very well, it will definitely improve its sound quality.
Summary
Undoubtedly, Martin D28 is a truly unique guitar. There is something really special about playing on that model – I don’t know if it’s the history or the amazing attention to detail, but when you have it in your hands, you know that you’re holding something magical. If you have the budget for it, I highly recommend adding it to your collection.
What do you think about this guitar? Have you ever had the chance to play it? Let me know in the comments below, I’m really interested to hear what you think!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, I hope that it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
