Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (3)
$3,199.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (52)
$3,399.00
Amazon
4.4 (15)
$3,699.99
Reverb
5.0 (1)
$3,249.99 New
$2,690.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (128)
$3,399.00
zZounds
5.0 (2)
$3,399.00
Thomann
5.0 (2)
$4,169.00
Gear4Music
£3,499.00

Average Price: $3,401

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Martin HD-28". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Product Description:

Step into the world of timeless craftsmanship and rich tonal quality with the Martin HD-28, a dreadnought acoustic guitar that perfectly embodies the essence of iconic acoustic sound. Embracing the legacy of the legendary D-28, the HD-28 is crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, giving birth to a vibrant, balanced tone that resonates the classic Martin sound.

The HD-28 Standard continues the tradition of the scalloped X-bracing pattern, introduced in the 1930s, delivering rich bass, ringing trebles, and a quick response. Its modified low oval neck ensures effortless playability, blending vintage character with modern comfort, and making complex chords and fingerstyle playing a breeze.

This guitar is not only a joy to play but also a sight to behold. Its vintage-inspired appointments, including herringbone trim, diamond fretboard inlay, and polished East Indian rosewood, lend an opulent yet understated elegance. This guitar is truly an heirloom, destined to create music for generations, growing richer in tone as the tonewoods mature.

Key Features:

  • Solid Sitka spruce top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides.
  • Classic scalloped X-bracing pattern for rich bass and ringing trebles.
  • Modified low oval neck for effortless playability.
  • 1 ¾" nut and 2 5/16" string spacing ideal for complex chords and fingerstyle playing.
  • Vintage-inspired appointments for visual appeal.
  • Produces a bold, balanced voice suitable for any musical genre.
  • Built to improve with age as the tonewoods mature.

Product specs

Brand Martin
Model Standard Series HD-28
Finish 1933 Ambertone, 1935 Sunburst, Natural
Year 2025
Made In United States
Categories Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp No
Back Material Rosewood
Body Shape Dreadnought
Color Family Brown, Natural, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Martin D-28
Model Sub-Family Martin HD-28
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
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 wood is used for the back and sides of the Martin HD-28?

The Martin HD-28 features rosewood for the back and sides, which contributes to its rich, resonant tone and strong bass response, ideal for a wide range of musical styles.

How does the bracing of the Martin HD-28 affect its sound?

The Martin HD-28 uses scalloped X-bracing, enhancing its projection and adding a distinctive tonal complexity with a balanced blend of warmth and clarity.

Is the Martin HD-28 suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes, the Martin HD-28's balanced tone and responsive dynamics make it well-suited for fingerstyle playing, providing clarity and articulation across all strings.

What is the neck profile of the Martin HD-28 like?

The Martin HD-28 features a Modified Low Oval neck profile with a High-Performance Taper, offering comfortable playability for various hand sizes and playing styles.

Does the Martin HD-28 come with any electronics for amplification?

No, the Martin HD-28 does not come with built-in electronics, emphasizing its pure acoustic sound. However, aftermarket pickups can be installed if amplification is needed.

What kind of finish does the Martin HD-28 have?

The Martin HD-28 features a gloss finish, which not only enhances its visual appeal but also protects the wood while allowing the guitar to resonate freely.

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Martin HD-28 Acoustic | CME Gear Demo | Alex Chadwick

Video thumbnail for Martin HD-28 Acoustic | CME  Gear Demo | Alex Chadwick by Chicago Music Exchange

Martin HD-28 Acoustic | CME Gear Demo | Alex Chadwick

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for Martin D-28 vs HD-28 - What's the Difference? by Acoustic Letter

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

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Video thumbnail for Martin HD 28 Acoustic Guitar Demo by Guitar Center

Martin HD 28 Acoustic Guitar Demo

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for Martin HD28 vs. HD35 | Dreadnought Battle for the Ages by Alamo Music Center

Martin HD28 vs. HD35 | Dreadnought Battle for the Ages

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center

Video thumbnail for Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar by Musician's Friend

Martin Standard Series HD-28 Standard Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Video thumbnail for Martin HD-28 Reimagined - The Iconic Powerhouse! by Acoustic Letter

Martin HD-28 Reimagined - The Iconic Powerhouse!

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Video thumbnail for Martin D-28 vs HD-28 vs D-35 by Guitar Gallery

Martin D-28 vs HD-28 vs D-35

Guitar Gallery

Guitar Gallery

Video thumbnail for Martin D-28 vs Martin HD-28 by Guitar Gallery

Martin D-28 vs Martin HD-28

Guitar Gallery

Guitar Gallery

Video thumbnail for Martin D-28 VS HD-28 Review (No Talking) by Music Force Official

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

Music Force Official

Music Force Official

Video thumbnail for Martin HD-28: Anatomy of the Iconic Dreadnought Guitar | Elderly Instruments by Elderly Instruments

Martin HD-28: Anatomy of the Iconic Dreadnought Guitar | Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Video thumbnail for 1981 Martin HD-28 Herringbone | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1981 Martin HD-28 Herringbone | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Experience the Legend: New Martin HD-28 Acoustic Guitar | In-Depth Review | Nick Brightwell presents by Studio 1 Vintage Guitars

Experience the Legend: New Martin HD-28 Acoustic Guitar | In-Depth Review | Nick Brightwell presents

Studio 1 Vintage Guitars

Studio 1 Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for Martin D28 VS HD28 by Btm Guitars

Martin D28 VS HD28

Btm Guitars

Btm Guitars

Video thumbnail for MARTIN HD-28 by session

MARTIN HD-28

session

session

Video thumbnail for Martin HD-28 2022 by Ian Meadows

Martin HD-28 2022

Ian Meadows

Ian Meadows

Video thumbnail for 1993 Martin HD28 Demo by Dom Winter

1993 Martin HD28 Demo

Dom Winter

Dom Winter

Video thumbnail for Martin HD-28 (2025) vs Martin HD-28 (Reimagined) by Guitar Gallery

Martin HD-28 (2025) vs Martin HD-28 (Reimagined)

Guitar Gallery

Guitar Gallery

Video thumbnail for 2025 NEW Martin HD-28 Guitar Demo by Acton Music雅登中国

2025 NEW Martin HD-28 Guitar Demo

Acton Music雅登中国

Acton Music雅登中国

Reviews

PROS

  • Deep, rich bass with balanced mids and highs

  • Exceptional craftsmanship with no visible glue drops

  • Stunning vintage aesthetics with herringbone trim and snowflake inlays

  • Effortless playability with modernized neck shape

  • Loud projection without needing aggressive strumming

  • Notable tonal purity without electronics

  • Unique ebony fretboard and bridge coloring

  • Highly percussive, suitable for various playing styles

  • Continues to improve in sound quality over time

  • Holds tune exceptionally well

CONS

  • Tuning pegs may require initial tightening

  • Potential issues with fret spurs and binding alignment

  • Finish can ding if not handled gently

  • Initial tightness requires time to open up

Owner Insights

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

Use cases and applications

  • The HD-28, with its scalloped bracing, is appreciated for its softer tone and sustain, beneficial for genres requiring more resonance and bass.

    Source
  • The HD-28 shines with strumming and flat-picking but may not be ideal for fingerstyle due to its dreadnought body.

    Source

Comparisons

  • A suggestion is made that the 2025 D-28 with scalloped bracing might sound better for less money, but lacks herringbone aesthetics.

    Source
  • The 2025 D-28 with new bracing is described as louder but tinny, lacking the bass of the 2024 HD-28.

    Source
  • A few users prefer mahogany guitars like the D-18 for vocal accompaniment, citing that they blend better with human voices due to less treble brightness compared to rosewood.

    Source
  • The HD-28's midrange scoop is more pronounced than the D-28, leading to a fuller but not necessarily louder sound.

    Source
  • The HD-28 is noted for better bass response, making it more suitable for singing players needing to fill out the sonic spectrum compared to the D-18.

    Source
  • The D-35 offers a unique blend with dreadnought body and 000-style bracing, appreciated by fingerpicking enthusiasts.

    Source
  • The OM-28 offers better treble clarity and sparkle for fingerpicking compared to the dreadnought models.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Discounts up to 20% are reported on 2024 models, with some claiming they're hard to find due to increased demand.

    Source

User experience

  • The 2024 HD-28 is praised for its "huge" sound, with a friend commenting it sounds like it has an amp inside.

    Source
  • Some players find the "reimagined" HD-28 to have a hazy sound when strumming, suggesting exploring older models or considering a reimagined D-28 for strumming clarity.

    Source
  • Some owners report significant sound variation between individual HD-28 guitars, suggesting the importance of trying multiple units before purchasing.

    Source

Build quality

  • Owners note the 2025 models are using less ebony, with thinner fretboards and spotted ebony, impacting aesthetics.

    Source
  • The HD-28's rosewood construction can lead to tonal inconsistencies, whereas mahogany models like the D-18 are noted for consistent quality.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Some users prefer the 2024 HD-28's herringbone binding and diamond fretboard markers over the standard dot markers on the newer models.

    Source

Other

  • There's a sentiment that individual Martin guitars can vary greatly in sound and quality, highlighting the importance of playing multiple units to find the right one.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Display models often have dull strings; checking different stores or requesting fresh strings can reveal a guitar's true sound.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 12 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how James Hetfield uses Martin HD-28

James Hetfield

Singer, Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via Photo

This guitar was played by James and is being auctioned off to benefit Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation. It is seen in use in this Rolling Stone article about the charity.

The auction decription reads:

Martin HD28 Guitar Played by James Hetfield & Autographed by Metallica Own the actual Martin guitar played on stage by James Hetfield during the inaugural All Within My Hands Foundation Helping Hands Concert & Auction!

The guitar will be autographed by all four members of Metallica immediately following the performance.

The HD-28 includes many of the options guitar players and collectors prize in historic Martins. A Sitka spruce top with East Indian rosewood back and sides, all wrapped together in Martin’s classic herringbone inlay.

See how Chris Martin uses Martin HD-28

Chris Martin

Singer, Guitarist

Coldplay

...
Verified via Photo

Chris Martin used the Martin D-28 throughout their A Head Full of Dreams tour; in the picture, the D-28 is seen without a pickguard with stickers in relation to their A Head Full of Dreams era

See how Taylor Swift uses Martin HD-28

Taylor Swift

Singer, Guitarist

Jack Leopards & The Dolphin Club

...
Verified via Twitter

Taylor Swift is seen playing a Martin HD-28 during a surprise live performance of "Shake it Off" at the Tight End University's "Tight Ends and Friends" afterparty in Nashville, TN on June 24th, 2025.

See how Bob Dylan uses Martin HD-28

Bob Dylan

Keyboardist, Composer

Traveling Wilburys

...
Verified via Bobdylansgear

" Cesar Diaz, Bob’s guitar technician in the nineties acquired many stock and Custom Martin guitars for Dylan and thanks to Dick Boak from Martin & Co. we can see the specifications asked for his guitars like the Spruce Top Specified...Thinline Goldplus Acoustic Pickup System...and their serial numbers!!!!.. between august 25th and the end of september 1992 Cesar paid for 5 Martin guitars...

INVOICE August 25th, 1992 Payment in full has been received from Cesar Diaz (representing Bob Dylan) 473 North Courtland Street East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 for the following: 1 each Martin HD-28 with Case Serial # _______________ Sunburst Top PAID IN FULL / CHECK (Diaz Amplifiers) Thanks to dick boak Artist & Public Relations, Limited Editions, Exhibitions and Archives C. F. Martin & Co. (The Martin Guitar Company) Web: www.martinguitar.com or: www.dickboak.com"

See how Dirty South uses Martin HD-28

Dirty South

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

Dirty South often comes up with ideas and chords for his tracks by strumming on a guitar. In a video he can be seen playing an acoustic version of the song "Phazing" on a Martin HD-28 acoustic guitar.

See how Ben Howard uses Martin HD-28

Ben Howard

Guitarist, Singer

A Blaze of Feather

...
Verified via Photo

Ben can be seen playing an HD-28 in this image. The herringbone trim on the side of the guitar is what can verify this as the HD-28.

See how Claudio Sanchez uses Martin HD-28

Claudio Sanchez

Singer, Guitarist

Coheed and Cambria

...
Verified via YouTube

Claudio uses this HD-28 on a song called Iron Fist and another called Wake Up.

See how Jason Isbell uses Martin HD-28

Jason Isbell

Guitarist, Singer

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

...
Verified via Photo

Premier Guitar shows that Jason plays a Martin HD-28E Retro acoustic guitar. Source.

See how Pete Loeffler uses Martin HD-28

Pete Loeffler

Singer, Guitarist

Chevelle

...
Verified via Musiciansfriend

Guitar.com: What kind of acoustic guitar do you write on?

Loeffler: I have a Martin HD-28. It's a newer one. I like it a lot because I tune down, and it has a large soundhole on it, so it doesn't sound as "woofy."

See how James Valentine uses Martin HD-28

James Valentine

Guitarist

Maroon 5

...
Verified via Martinguitar

“My HD-28 is solid. We have no problem endorsing Martin guitars, because they are great!” - Valentine about his Martin HD-28.

See how Father John Misty uses Martin HD-28

Father John Misty

Singer, Guitarist

Fleet Foxes

...
Verified via facebookapp

This Facebook post confirms that Father John Misty uses a Martin HD-28

See how Chuck Ragan uses Martin HD-28

Chuck Ragan

Singer

Hot Water Music

...
Verified via Photo

You can see a Martin HD-28 guitar that Chuck calls Abby on a photo from his instagram

Album Usage

The Martin HD-28 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Martin HD-28, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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