Martin HD-28 Review: Distinctive Sound in a Flashy Package

Body And Neck:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:

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When you're talking about acoustic guitars, it's hard to beat Martin. The company has been making premium acoustic guitars in the United States for 140 years. In that time, their instruments have found favor with legendary musicians in nearly every genre imaginable.

Out of all Martin guitars, though, perhaps none is as popular as the D-28. Players from Nick Drake and Van Morrison to Eric Clapton and Johnny Cash have all used the D-28 throughout their careers. Its brother, Martin's HD-28 version, offers an upgraded spin on the D-28 with a different bracing structure and a flashy herringbone inlay pattern for its own distinctive sound.

Though it's certainly not cheap, the HD-28 is one of the best acoustic guitars you'll find anywhere. Let's take a closer look and break down the details.

Body and Neck

Like the standard D-28, the HD-28 utilizes a classic tonewood combination of spruce and rosewood. More specifically, the top is made of Sitka spruce, while the back and sides utilize East Indian rosewood. The two different woods offer contrasting tones: Spruce is known for its clear, loud high-end, while rosewood is warmer and smoother through the midrange frequencies.

As you might expect in a guitar at this price range, the HD-28 is made entirely from solid wood. Unlike cheaper multi-ply or laminate constructions, solid wood creates outstanding resonance and imparts more of the character of the wood on the guitar's sound. Solid wood also grows better with age — a high-end solid wood guitar is an investment that can last a lifetime.

The neck here is fashioned out of select hardwood, usually Spanish cedar or mahogany. The modified low oval shape and performance taper combine with the satin finish to make this very easy to play. An ebony fingerboard tops off the package with a mixture of warmth and zing.

Hardware

So far, the HD-28 is identical to the D-28. The hardware is what sets these two models apart. Unlike its brother, the HD-28 utilizes scalloped internal X-shaped bracing. The D-28's non-scalloped bracing strengthens the guitar top slightly but sacrifices on projection and bass. With less wood preventing vibrations throughout the body, the HD-28 offers more bass and a fuller, louder sound.

A stylish herringbone purfling is another feature unique to the HD-28 model — in fact, the “H” stands for “herringbone.” Though it's a strictly visual feature, it does lend the HD-28 an extra touch of class.

As far as the standard touches go, the HD-28 features all of Martin's luxury appointments. An ebony bridge houses the bone saddle, which is compensated to keep your intonation perfect while playing. At the other end of the neck, you'll find a bone nut and Martin's butterbean open-gear tuners. They're a great vintage touch versus the modern closed-gear machines.

Sound

The HD-28 is definitely a well-balanced guitar — it's hard to find a bad sound on an instrument of this quality. However, this model offers so much more than just versatility. The bass is booming and powerful, with resonance and projection in spades. Meanwhile, the midrange and treble are focused and articulate.

Whether you're pounding out bluegrass and folk tunes or playing delicate fingerstyle songs, the HD-28 responds with aplomb. It's energetic and powerful, yet crisp and articulate — a rare combination for any acoustic guitar.

Conclusion

Martin is known for its quality and legacy. The HD-28 is no exception. This guitar offers every sound you need in a top-shelf acoustic with the style and flair to match. If you have the budget and want to purchase an acoustic guitar that will last a lifetime, the HD-28 is an outstanding choice.