ReviewFinder Acoustic Guitars

Martin D-28

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Features
Sound quality
Durability
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10 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [10]

96
Total expert reviews: 10
  • with a score: 4
  • without a score: 6
Highest score by reviewingthis.com
100
Average score based on 10 reviews
96
Lowest score by The Guitar Junky
90

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
90
A Dreadnought Guitar Worth Buying?
The Martin D-28 is a legendary acoustic guitar that has been loved by iconic artists for decades. It offers exceptional craftsmanship, playability, and a classic sound that makes it a piece of American musical history.
+ pros
  • Wide string spacing for versatile playing styles.
  • Excellent craftsmanship and design, considered a work of art.
  • Comfortable fretboard for easy playability.
  • Classic tones that evoke nostalgia.
  • Upgradable to include pickups.
- cons
  • Volume is not as loud or impressive as expected.
  • Aesthetically, it may not be appealing to everyone.
The Martin D28 is a classic guitar that sets the standard for others in terms of quality and tone. It may be expensive, but its value holds over time and its playability and workmanship are exceptional.
+ pros
  • The Martin D28 holds its value well and may only cost around $1000 to play for 5 years.
  • The tone of the Martin D28 is deep, rich, and slightly brighter than older models due to the forward shifted braces and aged toner top.
  • The playability of the Martin D28 is excellent, with a perfect setup and a comfortable neck.
  • The workmanship of the Martin D28 is top-notch, with smooth frets, a well-polished finish, and vintage nickel tuners.
  • The Martin D28 does not come with electronics, preserving its beautiful tone, but can be ordered with electronics or a sound-hole pickup if desired.
- cons
  • The author has mixed feelings about the faux tortoise pick guard, preferring the traditional black pick guard.
  • The author mentions that the Martin D28 is well-suited for bluegrass and flat picking, but suggests considering the Martin HD28 for finger picking.
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Expert consensus

The Martin D-28 is a versatile and high-quality dreadnought acoustic guitar known for its powerful sound projection, exceptional sound quality, and comfortable playability.

The Martin D-28 is a highly versatile and high-quality dreadnought acoustic guitar known for its powerful sound projection and exceptional sound quality. It features a well-made design and a modified low oval neck that adds to its comfortable playability. While it may not be as portable as smaller guitars, its larger size contributes to its powerful and balanced tone.

The D-28 is highly regarded for its deep, rich, and well-balanced sound, with emphasized treble and midrange. It offers a slightly darker tone with a nice boom in the lower frets and smooth richness in the upper frets. The guitar's build quality and durability are exceptional, making it suitable for professional musicians who tour extensively or casual players who want a reliable instrument for years to come.

Overall, the Martin D-28 is considered a versatile and high-quality instrument that offers a powerful, well-rounded tone and is suitable for various musical styles and playing preferences.

Features

The Martin D-28 is a medium-weight dreadnought acoustic guitar known for its powerful sound projection and comfortable playability.

The Martin D-28 is a dreadnought acoustic guitar known for its large size and powerful sound projection. It is described as not heavy, but rather medium weight. The guitar is highly comfortable to play, thanks to its well-made design and a modified low oval neck that is slim enough to remain playable while adding something to the tone.

However, due to its full-size dreadnought body shape, the D-28 may not be as portable as smaller guitars or travel-sized models. If sound quality and performance are a priority, the D-28's larger size contributes to its powerful and balanced tone. The neck profile is well-regarded and considered highly playable.

Overall, the Martin D-28 is a versatile and high-quality instrument suitable for various musical styles and playing preferences.

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Sound quality

The Martin D-28 is highly regarded for its exceptional sound quality, offering a deep, rich, and well-balanced tone that is versatile across various musical genres.

The Martin D-28 is highly regarded for its exceptional sound quality, according to multiple expert reviews. It is described as having a deep, rich, and well-balanced tone, with emphasized treble and midrange. The D-28 is known for its powerful sound, making it an excellent choice for rhythm guitar and strumming.

It offers a slightly darker tone compared to other guitars, with chords in the lower frets having a nice boom and chords in the upper frets being smooth and rich. The forward shifted braces and "Age Toner Top" contribute to a slightly brighter sound compared to older models. The D-28 provides a balanced sound that is not overly bassy or trebly.

It is versatile across various musical genres and is often considered the pinnacle of dreadnought sound. Overall, the Martin D-28 offers a powerful, well-rounded tone that has stood the test of time.

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Durability

The Martin D-28 is a highly durable and well-built guitar made with high-quality materials, designed to last for generations.

The Martin D-28 is highly regarded for its exceptional build quality and durability. Constructed with high-quality materials such as sitka spruce and Brazilian rosewood, this guitar is designed to withstand the test of time. It is made by Martin Guitars, a company with a long history of providing quality instruments, and is backed by a warranty.

Whether you are a professional musician who tours extensively or a casual player who wants a reliable instrument for years to come, the Martin D-28 is considered a guitar that will last for generations.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all acoustic guitars.

Rank Change Price Acoustic Guitar
American Songwriter
reviewed.usatoday.com
Music Critic
Guitar Chalk
Guitar World
Six String Acoustic
GuitarPlayer
Music Radar
The Strategist
10stunninghomes.com
1
+1 $599
Taylor GS Mini
The Taylor GS Mini is a highly versatile and durable guitar that offers excellent sound quality in a compact and portable design, making it a popular choice for travelers and musicians of all skill levels.
-
-
5
2
6
1
3
5
-
-
2
-1 $210
Yamaha FG800
The Yamaha FG800 is a highly regarded full-sized dreadnought acoustic guitar known for its powerful sound projection, comfortable playability, exceptional sound quality, and solid construction.
-
-
6
3
3
6
2
6
-
-
3
+1 Check price
Gretsch Jim Dandy G9500
The Gretsch Jim Dandy G9500 is a compact and comfortable parlor-sized guitar with impressive sound quality and durability, making it a great option for musicians of all skill levels.
-
-
2
-
2
-
-
2
2
15
4
-1 $200
Fender CD 60S
The Fender CD 60S acoustic guitar is highly praised for its comfortable playability, impressive sound quality, and durable construction, making it a reliable and budget-friendly option for musicians of all levels.
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
1
-
4
Show all rows
Grab your very own ‘golden era’ Martin without needing a second mortgage
10 Jul 2024 (4 months ago)
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Highest recommended acoustic guitars this month

ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. acoustic guitars below are at the top of our ranking this November.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the acoustic guitar for more details.
Taylor GS Mini Yamaha FG800 Gretsch Jim Dandy G9500 Fender CD 60S
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Taylor GS Mini rank #1 out of 141. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.3
Amazing
Reviews
In comparison:
Yamaha FG800 rank #2 out of 141. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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9.6
Amazing
Reviews
In comparison:
Gretsch Jim Dandy G9500 rank #3 out of 141. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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9.6
Amazing
Reviews
In comparison:
Fender CD 60S rank #4 out of 141. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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8.4
Great
Price
The Taylor GS Mini is a highly versatile and durable guitar that offers excellent sound quality in a compact and portable design, making it a popular choice for travelers and musicians of all skill levels. The Yamaha FG800 is a highly regarded full-sized dreadnought acoustic guitar known for its powerful sound projection, comfortable playability, exceptional sound quality, and solid construction. The Gretsch Jim Dandy G9500 is a compact and comfortable parlor-sized guitar with impressive sound quality and durability, making it a great option for musicians of all skill levels. The Fender CD 60S acoustic guitar is highly praised for its comfortable playability, impressive sound quality, and durable construction, making it a reliable and budget-friendly option for musicians of all levels.
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