acoustic · dreadnought

D-28

The Martin D-28 is the rosewood-and-spruce dreadnought that set the template for the steel-string acoustic, and it remains the reference instrument for singer-songwriters and flatpickers.

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Why it matters

The D-28's proportions, a spruce top over rosewood back and sides in a full-size dreadnought body, became the shape most of the acoustic market still copies. Martin's Standard Series sits above the Road and 15/16-series guitars and below the Authentic and Custom Shop builds, which makes it the serious-player benchmark rather than a collector piece. Because production numbers are large, used examples are plentiful and easy to price.

Note

THE dreadnought: rosewood back/sides, Sitka top. The blueprint of the steel-string sound.

Specifications

• Scale length: 645 mm (25.4 in)
• Neck shape: Golden Era (GE) Modified Low Oval

Before you buy

• Modern Standard Series necks are easier to play than vintage-spec originals, so try both before deciding
• Large dreadnought bodies reward a strong right hand and can feel oversized elsewhere
• Standard Series pricing has risen steadily, which supports used values

Collected notes

Other opinions

One video is one opinion. These are the other videos for this entry, most-viewed first. The order is the view count, not a ranking of ours.

• YouTube video Guitarist · 2018-02 · 193,342 views

  “Reviewed in Guitarist 428 Gear demos playlist: Subscribe for more from Guitarist: Buy Guitarist magazine in print and digital forms: Visit our website: Facebook: Twitter:”

  Guitarist magazine's demo of a 2017 Martin D-28, fingerpicked and strummed.

• YouTube video Tarpley Music · 2023-01 · 63,811 views

  “James G takes a look at the iconic Martin D-28.”

  Shop walkthrough and playing demo of a Martin D-28.

Sources

• martinguitar.com
• martinguitar.com