How do you take a guitar that's defined a generation (and then some) and still manage to improve upon it? Well, Martin have done just that by applying small but effective changes to their iconic dreadnought guitar.

Forward-Shifted Bracing

Tonally, the biggest difference Martin have made is the new forward-shifted bracing. This allows the top to vibrate and resonate more than ever before while still offering a strong support structure for the guitars body.

Vintage & Modern

The combination of aged spruce top, vintage open-gear tuners and modern forward-shifted bracing means that this guitar captures the tone of an old, well played instrument but with modern playability. And it's far more reliable than an older instrument too!

The new high performance neck feels more comfortable in the palm without taking so much away that you feel short changed. The comfortable fit simply means you can play for hours on end without your hands getting tired.

Here's what Martin say about the D-28:

Sometimes innovation is in the details and this is certainly true with Martin’s D-28. After nearly a century at the helm, and as the quintessential workhorse of music legends like Hank Williams, The Beatles, JOHNNY CASH, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and so many more, Martin's legendary D-28 has been lovingly and artfully enhanced.

“The post WWII D-28 had a slightly different look than its predecessor and became the centerpiece of the folk and folk rock movements at their pinnacle in the 1950s and 1960s." says Chris Martin, Chairman and CEO of Martin Guitar, "We have extracted the finest features from the D-28 of both my grandfather’s and my father’s respective eras.”

The all new D-28 blends the rich history of the guitar with Martin’s newest and most heralded innovations. The 184 year old guitar maker has combined vintage appointments, including open gear tuners, an aged toner top, antique white accents, and a faux tortoise pickguard with a new neck profile to give D-28 enthusiasts a modern feel and comfortable playing experience. Martin has also added forward-shifted bracing to allow greater vibration of the top. The legend just got better!

Specifications

Top

TOP COLOR: Aging Toner
BRIDGE STYLE: Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
BINDING: Antique White
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2 5/32"
TOP INLAY MATERIAL: Multi-Stripe
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Ebony
TOP DETAIL: None
BRIDGE PIN MATERIAL: White Plastic
PICKGUARD: Tortoise Pattern
BRIDGE PIN DOTS: Faux Tortoise
PICKGUARD INLAY: None
SADDLE: Compensated Bone
ROSETTE: Multi-Stripe
SADDLE RADIUS: 16"

Body

BRACE MATERIAL: Sitka Spruce
BACK & SIDES COLOR: None
BRACE SIZE: 5/16"
BACK DETAIL: None
BACK PURFLING/STRIP: Style 28
BACK INLAY MATERIAL: Multi-Stripe
HEELCAP: Antique White
SIDE DETAIL: None
ENDPIECE: Antique White
SIDE INLAY MATERIAL: None
ENDPIECE INLAY: Multi-Stripe

Neck

NECK MATERIAL: Select Hardwood
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Ebony
FINISH NECK: Satin
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2 1/8''
NECK COLOR: Dark Mahogany
FINGERBOARD INLAY STYLE: Style 28
NUMBER OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
FINGERBOARD INLAY MATERIAL: Mother-of-Pearl
NECK JOINS BODY AT: 14th Fret
FINGERBOARD BINDING MATERIAL: None
SIDE DOTS: White

Headstock

HEADSTOCK SHAPE: Solid with Square Taper and Diamond
TUNING MACHINES: Nickel Open Gear
HEADPLATE MATERIAL: East Indian Rosewood
KNOB: Butterbean
HEADPLATE LOGO STYLE: Script Old Style Overlay
NUT MATERIAL: Bone
HEADPLATE BINDING MATERIAL: None