Martin D12-28

^# 64

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$1,975.00 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (7)

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Martin HD12-28

$2,999.00 - $3,899.00

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7 wishlisted

17 saved

Page last updated Jun 30, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 30, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (5)

$1,975.00 5 available Used

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Average Price: $1,975

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

Price Tier

In the Steel-string Acoustic Guitars category, Martin D12-28 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

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Description

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Crafted for both seasoned musicians and eager beginners, the Martin D12-28 is a 12-string acoustic guitar that embodies the rich tradition and superior craftsmanship Martin Guitars is renowned for. This guitar is perfect for those seeking a full, resonant sound that fills the room with its complex tonal palette. The D12-28 features a solid Sitka spruce top paired with East Indian rosewood back and sides, providing a balanced and dynamic range of sound that suits a variety of playing styles. Its dreadnought body shape enhances volume and projection, making it ideal for both studio recordings and live performances.

The Martin D12-28 is not just about sound; it’s also designed with player comfort in mind. The low-profile neck ensures smooth playability, while the ebony fingerboard provides a sleek surface for effortless navigation across frets. This guitar includes a standard 20-fret construction and a 25.4-inch scale length, allowing for a comfortable reach and easy chord transitions. Whether you're strumming softly at home or performing on stage, the Martin D12-28 offers a reliable and enriching musical experience.

Key Features:

12-string configuration for a fuller, richer sound
Solid Sitka spruce top for dynamic tonal range
East Indian rosewood back and sides for warmth and resonance
Low-profile neck for comfortable playability
Ebony fingerboard for smooth fret transitions
Dreadnought body shape for enhanced volume and projection

Product specs

Brand	Martin
Model	Standard Series D12-28
Finish	Natural
Year	2005 - 2017
Made In	United States
Categories	12-String Acoustic Guitars, Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp	No
Back Material	Rosewood
Body Shape	Dreadnought
Color Family	Natural
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Ebony
Model Family	Martin D-28
Model Sub-Family	Martin D-12-28
Neck Material	Mahogany
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	12-String
Pickup	None
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Series	Martin Standard Series
Sides Material	Rosewood
String Type	Steel
Top Material	Spruce
Wood Top Style	Plain

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Martin D12-28 12-string acoustic guitar?: The Martin D12-28 delivers a rich, full-bodied sound typical of dreadnought guitars, with enhanced resonance and sustain from its rosewood back and sides. The 12-string configuration adds shimmering overtones, making it ideal for genres like folk, rock, and country.
Is the Martin D12-28 suitable for fingerstyle playing?: While the Martin D12-28 is primarily known for its robust strumming capabilities, its wide fretboard and responsive spruce top also make it suitable for fingerstyle playing, providing a balanced tone across all strings.
Does the Martin D12-28 come with a built-in pickup?: No, the Martin D12-28 does not come with a built-in pickup. It's designed as a purely acoustic instrument, allowing the natural sound of the guitar to shine without electronic amplification.
What is the neck profile of the Martin D12-28 like?: The Martin D12-28 features a low profile neck, crafted from mahogany, which offers comfortable playability and smooth transitions along the fretboard, especially beneficial for players transitioning between chords on a 12-string guitar.
How does the Martin D12-28 compare to other models in the Martin D-28 family?: The Martin D12-28 shares the classic dreadnought body shape and high-quality materials of the D-28 family but distinguishes itself with its 12-string configuration, providing a more complex harmonic texture and a fuller sound.

Videos

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N Stuff Music

Martin D12-28 12-String Acoustic | N Stuff Music Product Review

N Stuff Music

Petrilli Picks: 2004 Martin D-12-28 | Angela Petrilli

Normans Rare Guitars

Martin D12-28 acoustic 12-sttring guitar with Ambertone Sunburst demo by Paul Jacobs

GryphonStrings

Martin D12-28 demonstrated by Paul Jacobs

GryphonStrings

1986 Martin D12-28 East Indian/Sitka at Dream Guitars

Dream Guitars

Martin D-12-28 | 1972 at The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

I Bought A Mystery Guitar! Vintage Martin D12-28

Zach Oswald

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin D12-28.

Setup and maintenance

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The action height of 5mm at the 12th fret is seen as excessively high, affecting playability and requiring a professional setup to lower it.
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Reducing the action from 5mm to around 2.5mm is suggested to improve playability without significantly altering the guitar’s tonal qualities.
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Many 1970s Martins, including this model, often require a neck reset as part of maintenance due to aging.
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Bridge cracks and potential neck reset are common repair needs for 1970s Martin guitars, with repairs costing several hundred dollars.
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Comparisons

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Taylor guitars are noted for their factory setups that provide easier playability compared to Martins, which often ship with higher action preferred by bluegrass players.
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The Martin D12E features fancier appointments like binding, with Koa wood providing a slightly louder and brighter tone compared to the warmer, softer sound of Sapele.
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The D12E Koa is likened to the D10E Spruce for those seeking a classic D18-like sound, with spruce tops offering a brighter tone.
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User experience

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Owners report that a proper setup does not negatively affect the guitar's tone and can significantly improve playability, making the guitar feel more personalized.
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Some users have switched from 13 to 12 gauge strings to improve playability, though this change can result in a noticeable loss of tone quality.
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A well-maintained D12-28 can fetch between $2,000 and $2,500, though the market for 12-string guitars is smaller.
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Owners value the historical and sentimental significance of this model, often viewing it as a cherished heirloom.
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Owners emphasize the importance of playing both the D12E and higher-end models like the D28 to determine personal preference before purchasing.
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Build quality

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The Martin D12-28 from the 1970s is noted for its solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, and mahogany neck.
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Features and functionality

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The guitar includes a lifetime warranty for the original owner and their children, which may cover some repairs.
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The D12E includes a soft shell case but upgrading to a hard shell case is recommended for better protection, adding to the overall cost.
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Mods and upgrades

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The K&K Pure Mini pickup is recommended for installation in models like the 000-15 for capturing the true acoustic tone without needing a battery or knobs.
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