Acoustic Guitar
Martin D 28
Strumtrove Review
The Martin D-28 remains the gold standard for dreadnought acoustic guitars, offering unmatched tonal depth, projection, and craftsmanship that justifies its investment-level price.
Martin D 28
- Reviewed against 53 other instruments & gear
- Site average rating: 4.5/5
- Price & availability confirmed at retailer
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- Solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped X-bracing
- Solid East Indian rosewood back and sides
- Select hardwood neck with modified low oval profile
- 20-fret ebony fingerboard with 1-3/4" nut width
- High-performance neck taper for easy playability
- Bone nut and compensated bone saddle
- Nickel open-gear tuning machines
- Grained ivoroid body binding with tortoise pickguard
Martin D 28 Specifications
Pros
- ✓ Exceptionally rich, powerful dreadnought tone
- ✓ Excellent projection and volume for stage or studio
- ✓ Premium tonewoods deliver long-term tonal maturation
- ✓ Iconic, timeless design with strong resale value
- ✓ Versatile across genres — bluegrass, folk, country, rock
- ✓ Superb build quality and attention to detail
Cons
- ✕ Premium price point compared to entry-level dreadnoughts
- ✕ Neck profile may feel substantial for players with smaller hands
- ✕ Requires humidity care due to solid wood construction
- ✕ Heavier body may be less comfortable for extended standing play
The Martin D-28 stands as one of the most iconic acoustic guitars in modern music history, serving as the benchmark dreadnought against which virtually all other flat-top guitars are measured. Since its introduction in the 1930s, this model has been the instrument of choice for legendary artists across bluegrass, country, folk, and rock genres, prized for its commanding volume, rich low-end response, and articulate note separation that allows every string to be heard clearly in a mix or on stage. Crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top paired with solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, the D-28 delivers that unmistakable 'Martin sound' — deep, resonant bass, a punchy midrange, and shimmering trebles that ring with sustain. The scalloped X-bracing beneath the top allows the soundboard to vibrate more freely, contributing to the guitar's famous dynamic range and volume, whether you're fingerpicking softly or flatpicking with aggressive attack. Built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania using time-honored construction techniques combined with modern quality control, the D-28 features a comfortable modified low oval neck profile, a 1-3/4 inch nut width, and Martin's durable high-performance taper that suits both strummers and lead players. With its herringbone-style trim, tortoise pickguard, and satin-finished neck, it's as visually striking as it is sonically powerful — a true workhorse instrument built to last generations.
Customer reviews
I saved up for two years to buy this guitar and it was absolutely worth it. The bass response is incredible and it just keeps sounding better the more I play it. This is a guitar you pass down to your kids.
Perfect for flatpicking. The volume and punch this thing has is unreal — it cuts through a full bluegrass band without even needing a pickup. Classic Martin tone.
Tone is everything I hoped for, rich and balanced. Only knock is the weight — after a long gig my shoulder feels it. Still, I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
Bought mine used and it sounds like it's been played in for decades. The rosewood back and sides give it such a warm complexity. This guitar will outlive me.
