Martin D-28

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$2,469.41 to $3,499.99 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (48)

2 Critic Reviews

9 Reviews

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11 community setups

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116 wishlisted

221 saved

Page last updated Jun 10, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated June 10, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (10)

$3,199.00

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5.0 (25)

$3,199.00

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5.0 (42)

$3,499.99

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$2,469.41 29 available New

$2,200.00 6 available Used

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5.0 (96)

$3,199.00

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4.5 (2)

$3,199.00

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$3,490.00

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£3,399.00

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Average Price: $3,057

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

Price Tier

In the Steel-string Acoustic Guitars category, Martin D-28 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Martin D-28". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar has been the preferred choice of countless legendary musicians, offering a unique blend of deep, resonant tone and powerful projection. This iconic dreadnought guitar serves up an enticing cocktail of classic tonewoods, with a solid spruce top for impressive projection and note clarity and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides for a well-balanced tonal range.

The D-28 is renowned for its ability to enhance vocal timbre and deliver articulate midrange frequencies, airy highs, and a robust low end. This guitar's dynamics are expressive, allowing you to unleash your fury or shift into soft chords and arpeggios seamlessly. It has been revered as the "tone cannon" by discerning guitarists for its ability to produce classic rich tones and powerful projection, perfect for both stage and studio performances.

In addition to its sound, the D-28 also boasts impressive playability. Its satin-finish, slim "High Performance Taper" neck is designed to thrill players who like to explore the full range of the fretboard. The guitar's easy playability can inspire new techniques and uncharted artistic territories.

The Martin D-28 strikes a balance between old-school aesthetics and modern features. Its vintage vibe is accentuated by an aged toner top, antique-white binding, and open-gear tuners. But this is far from a nostalgia piece, as the guitar is equipped with modern features such as a forward-shifted, non-scalloped X-bracing that produces punchy, balanced midrange frequencies.

Key Features:

Iconic dreadnought design and tone from Martin
Solid spruce top for amazing projection and great note definition
Forward-shifted bracing pattern for optimized soundboard vibration
Solid East Indian rosewood back and sides for a well-balanced tonal range
Modern neck profile for improved comfort and playability
Vintage appointments include open-gear tuners, aged toner top, antique white accents, and faux tortoise pickguard
Square-taper headstock with solid East Indian rosewood headplate stays true to Martin's heritage

Product specs

Brand	Martin
Model	Standard Series D-28 Satin
Finish	Amberburst, Natural
Year	2023 - 2024
Made In	United States
Categories	Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp	No
Back Material	Rosewood
Body Shape	Dreadnought
Color Family	Brown, Natural
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Satin
Fretboard Material	Ebony
Model Family	Martin D-28
Neck Material	Mahogany
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup	None
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Sides Material	Rosewood
String Type	Steel
Top Material	Spruce
Wood Top Style	Plain

FAQs

What type of wood is used in the construction of the Martin D-28?: The Martin D-28 features a spruce top with rosewood back and sides, offering a rich and balanced tonal quality ideal for various music styles.
How many frets does the Martin D-28 have?: The Martin D-28 is equipped with 20 frets, providing a versatile range for both rhythm and lead playing.
Is the Martin D-28 suitable for fingerstyle playing?: Yes, the Martin D-28 is well-suited for fingerstyle playing due to its balanced tone and responsive dynamics, making it a favorite among fingerstyle guitarists.
Does the Martin D-28 come with a pickup system?: No, the Martin D-28 does not include a built-in pickup system, maintaining its traditional acoustic sound.
What is the neck material of the Martin D-28?: The neck of the Martin D-28 is made from mahogany, which contributes to its warm tone and comfortable playability.

Videos

Add video

Acoustic Letter

Martin D28 vs D18 - Review and Comparison

Acoustic Letter

1939 Martin D-28 played by Steve Earle featuring "Goodby Michelangelo"

Carter Vintage Guitars

Martin D-28 (2017) Acoustic Demo

Guitarist

Martin D-28 Comparison | Standard D-28 vs. HD-28 vs. D-28 Modern Deluxe

Alamo Music Center

Martin D-28 vs HD-28 - What's the Difference?

Acoustic Letter

Martin D-28 Review & Demo

Alamo Music Center

Martin Guitars D-28 Review | Is The D28 An Iconic Acoustic Guitar That Stands The Test of Time?

Tarpley Music

Martin D-28 VS HD-28 Review (No Talking)

Music Force Official

Martin D-28 Sunburst w/ L.R. Baggs "Anthem"

GregsGuitars

Martin D-28 / with sound review / Martin Guitar D28

金聲樂器

Martin D-28 Sunburst 1606746 DEMO

Maury's Music

Martin D-28 Sunburst guitar #2628643 - as seen on Virtual Tour!

Maury's Music

Reviews

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PROS

Renowned for its articulate and thunderous sound, suitable for various music styles
Simple yet elegant design with high-quality materials, no unnecessary embellishments
Wide fretboard offers unique playability, reminiscent of a sitar
Consistently praised for its beautiful and balanced tone
Durable and well-crafted, making it a lifetime instrument
Rosewood back and sides contribute to its distinct, rich sound
Arrives well-tuned and set up, ready to play out of the box
Enhances player's skills by requiring precise fretting
PlekPro setup option enhances playability and smooth fretting
Suitable for both high-level performances and personal enjoyment

CONS

High action out of the box may require professional setup
Not the easiest acoustic to play for beginners due to fret precision demands
May distract from other responsibilities due to its captivating nature

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin D-28.

Setup and maintenance

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Older models pre-1986 may require caution due to potential costly neck resets without adjustable truss rods.
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Keeping a D-28 in 40-60% relative humidity improves its sound; it can become muddier in high humidity.
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A specific issue noted is loose body binding on newer Martins, which can be addressed under warranty if purchased new from an authorized dealer.
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User experience

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Some users find the D-28 to be harsh but prefer it for its ornate aesthetics and slightly different sound flavored by rosewood.
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A 1992 HD-28 could be appealing for its age if in good condition, offering a potentially broken-in sound.
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After 15 years, a D-28 owner reported their guitar's sound improved annually, indicating a long-term tonal evolution.
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A user noted that the D-18 and D-28 are less comfortable for long practice sessions due to their size, especially for smaller players.
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Use cases and applications

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A D-28 with Elixir custom light strings can be mellowed for acoustic rock, broadening its versatility beyond bluegrass.
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Features and functionality

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Satin finish options for the D-28 can open up the sound and are more affordable, although not available for 00 sizes.
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The 2025 D-28 is praised for its improved sound due to "golden era" scalloped bracing, preferred over the less scalloped HD-28 bracing from 1992.
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Comparisons

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The D-28 is described as having lush, full chords and scooped mids, making it a preferred rhythm instrument over the D-18, which is noted for its drier, punchier tone.
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The D-35 offers a more enveloping and complex sound than the D-28, described as having its own reverb and blooming notes.
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2025 D-28 models feature "golden era" scalloped bracing and 1.75" nut, contrasting with pre-2018 models which have straight bracing and 1.69" nut.
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A player found the D-18 to have more mids, preferring it over the D-28, which they felt sounded thin in their hands.
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The D-28 is compared to Mexican cinnamon: bold and forward-tasting, while the D-35 is subtle, sweet, and earthy, indicating tonal differences.
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Value and pricing

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Be cautious when buying new models as retailers might discount 2024 models; ensure purchase of a 2025 for updated features.
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Build quality

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Early 90s D-28 models likely have thicker neck and fingerboard, with adjustable truss rods post-1986 for easier maintenance.
Source

Critic Reviews

Martin D-28 review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Martin D-28 remains a legendary acoustic guitar, celebrated for its incredible sound, impeccable build quality, and versatility across genres. The review praises its deep tone, superb projection, and inspiring playability. While the dreadnought size and neck profile may not suit everyone, the guitar's rich history and craftsmanship justify its high price. Overall, the D-28 is a timeless classic that continues to deliver an exceptional musical experience.

positive

Full Review

Martin D-28 (2017) Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Martin D-28 (2017) is a masterful update of an iconic guitar, blending vintage aesthetics with modern enhancements. Its superb craftsmanship is evident in its immaculate binding and alluring tonewoods. Sonically, it delivers taut, sculpted lows and complex highs, making it a standout for recording. The forward-shifted bracing and new neck profile enhance playability, appealing to both fingerstyle and pick players. While the price is steep, the tonal richness and exceptional build quality justify the investment. With no glaring drawbacks, this D-28 iteration is a sophisticated sonic powerhouse that honors its legacy.

positive

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 48 Ratings

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ivan_serov

8 months ago

The greatest guitar ever

I like this sound and its predictability, the simplicity of the game, but I am very worried about the upper top that it will go cracks

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Progressive metal Metal

From Gear Setup

owain

222

almost 12 years ago

My pride and Joy.

I fucking love this guitar. I bought it two years back and it is everything I wanted in an acoustic tone. It is a stunningly crafted instrument, I find myself staring at it when I'm not playing it. In all honesty not the easiest acoustic to play. It punishes you for bad fretting precision (but that just teaches you to play better in my opinion). But the tone...oh god the tone. I always wanted a big tone that wasn't super bright and this guitar delivers in spades. I stuck a Baggs Anthem pickup on this guitar and it sounds awesome even through my Orange. Best of all I feel like this guitar has made me into a better player.

gard_eldjarn_borgersen

over 3 years ago

Amazing guitar!!!

This is my favorite acoustic guitar! It has a beautiful sound and it feels fantastic to play.

Roles:

Guitarist

guitarzilu

over 8 years ago

Sounds better with practising

With the new 2017 D-28 Model released,I paid more attention to the new & old comparing. I surely like my 2016 D-28 better, I've changed the EJ16 strings and found a more balanced voice than MSP7100, which sounds deeper and more bass in it.