The Cannon. The Legend. The HD-28.
Some guitars just have *it*. That perfect blend of power, nuance, and history that makes them feel less like an instrument and more like an extension of your own voice. The Martin HD-28 is one of those guitars. It’s the quintessential rosewood dreadnought, a bluegrass and folk icon that has defined the sound of countless records. With its bold herringbone inlay and timeless appointments, it looks the part—and with its massive, resonant voice, it delivers the goods every single time.
Booming, Scalloped Power
Here’s the lowdown on what makes this HD-28 roar. It starts with a solid Spruce top, the perfect soundboard for clarity and projection. Paired with solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides, you get that classic Martin low-end bloom—deep, rich, and full of complex overtones. But the real secret sauce is the forward-shifted, scalloped 5/16″ X-bracing. This construction lightens the top, allowing it to vibrate more freely. The result? A guitar that’s incredibly responsive, loud, and dynamic, with a bass response that you can feel in your chest.
Effortless Playability
For all its power, the HD-28 is a dream to play. The neck is a GE Modified Low Oval with a High-Performance Taper, a mouthful that translates to pure comfort. It fills the hand nicely without being chunky, giving you a secure grip for cowboy chords while still being fast enough for intricate flatpicking runs up the neck. The satin finish feels smooth and broken-in from the first note, and the 1 3/4″ nut width provides perfect string spacing for both strumming and fingerstyle playing. This is a workhorse neck built for long sessions, whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or just on the couch.
Timeless Tone, Modern Reliability
Martin has nailed the vintage vibe with details like the antique white binding, Zig-Zag back purfling, and the old-style script logo on the headstock. But under the hood, it’s built for the modern player. From the compensated bone saddle and nut to the reliable nickel open-gear tuners, every component is chosen for maximum performance and tuning stability. This isn’t just a beautiful reissue; it’s a perfectly crafted tool for making music, backed by a legacy nearly a century deep. It comes complete with a molded hardshell case, ready for the road.
