A Martin HD-28 is on its way!

[Stefan]

I got a great deal on a 2007 Martin HD-28 from a guy here in Sweden! My dream will finally come true!!!

$2250, shipping included! The deal is this. He will send me the guitar and let me try it for a week or two. If I like it, I´ll keep it and send him the money. If I don´t want it I´ll just send it back and pay for the postage! Is that an amazingly nice deal or what?!?! This guy is so nice!

The guitar has some small damages on the finish that he really cant explain. It´s not much to worry about since it doesn´t do anything to the tone or playability. And it´s hard to see it if you don´t look for it.

[Tim Armstrong]

That's great!!!

I once had a chance to buy an HD-28 in a pawn shop in Denver for $900, that was just about the nicest guitar I've ever played.

I didn't have enough money to even buy lunch, unfortunately! I couldn't raise the money to save my life!

Sigh...

Enjoy that Martin!!!

Cheers, Tim

[Stefan]

and since a thread like this is worthless without pics, here they are!





Here is a picture of the finish that is damaged. Any explanation to what it could be?

[eryque]

Excellent! Good for you! The HD-28 is one of my holy grail instruments, so I'm a little jealous.

That finish damage looks like it was left in contact with something for an extended period of time. I have something similar on the back of my Guild, and I'm guessing it's because the guitar strap was laid downin the case, and then the guitar on top of it.

I'm fairly certain that you could carefully wet sand the damaged area and then buff it out, and it will look good as new.

[Colt W. Knight]

You lucky dog!!! I want a HD 28 so freakin bad I can hardly stand it.
The finish looks like it had been set by a heat source, possibly something spilled on it, and then it came in contact with a heat source.

[bradpdx]

I've had a lot of Martins, and my 1997 HD-28 is my favorite - bought it new back then. It has been my workhorse acoustic, so it has a few dings and a Baggs pickups system installed.

The finish damage most likely came from a cheap guitar strap that used vinyl construction. The vinyl was left in contact with the guitar for a long period of time (days) in the case, and the plasticizer from the vinyl melted a bit of the lacquer on the guitar. This is actually fairly common, or it used to be.

I wouldn't worry about it, it is in a very inconspicuous location.

Just make sure that your straps are made of leather or some inert plastic - the ubiquitous inexpensive nylon straps are good examples of this, they never give me any grief.

[Twanginator]

The damage to the finish was probably caused by the previous owner playing for the Swedish Bikini Team. That's my theory but there's a chance I could be wrong.

[FirstBassman]

Excellent!!!

Finish problem? What finish problem?

It's a freakin' Martin HD-28! Who cares!?

[Dan R]

Congrats on the HD-28 Stefan. A friend of mine and a cousin both have a HD-28. I have played both and they are fantastic. I have a Gibson, but if I could afford a HD-28, I'd get one in a heartbeat. You made a good choice. That's the kind of guitar you keep for the rest of your life.

Dan R

[zosofan]

Very nice looking guitar! Congrats!
The finish problem looks alot like what my old Framus acoustic has on it too.
It was caused by the finish being in contact with the rubber "bumper blocks"
that were in the case to "protect" the guitar.
The marks don't hurt anything and I wouldn't worry about them.
Eric

[RickG501]

You dog!! +1 for the jealous part.

Fabulous guitar!!! I've always wanted a D-35 or an HD-28, people will tell you that the regular D-28 is THE Martin....I disagree. The HD-28 is. I can't believe someone would send it to you with no cash exchange.
You're a double lucky dog!!

That looks like one of those nitro eating rubber bumpers on a guitar stand things to me. See if there's a matching one on the neck. It can probably be buffed out with a bit of rubbing compound then polished. Well worth the effort for such an excellent guitar....!!!

Congrats, I'm happy for you, dawg.

[studio1087]

It's beautiful. Congratulations.

I have a goal to buy an HD-28 by the time I'm 50. I'm 44 now.

The HD-28 is my Holy Grail acoustic.

The way the finish is slightly bubbled in straight rows makes it look like a reaction to a guitar stand or something that the lower bout sat on in the same position. I would just accept it.

Herringbone body binding and scalloped braces....it's a canon. No amplifier needed.

Congratulations!

John

[Stefan]

Yes, you are probably right about the finish issue. This guy said that he alos thought it came from the guitarstand. It´s no big deal for me. I only care about how it sounds and plays. I will definatly post more pics for you when I get it. I may also post a few soundclips too.

Is there anyone in Sweden who wants to buy my D16-GT? I have to sell that one to afford this one. CLICK HERE!

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by RickG501

Fabulous guitar!!! I've always wanted a D-35 or an HD-28, people will tell you that the regular D-28 is THE Martin....I disagree. The HD-28 is.

Yes I agree. I have tried several D28´s and my friend has a HD-28 that blows them all away. Much more volume and power.

Originally Posted by RickG501

I can't believe someone would send it to you with no cash exchange.
You're a double lucky dog!!
dawg.

This guy is a member of a acousticguitar-forum here in Sweden and we have talked from time to time online. It´s a very friendly forum and all the guys know eachother. I am very glad that he trusts me. Sweden is a very, very small country (10 million souls) and people who are into guitars know eachother in some way or another, through someone. If someone isn´t honest the word gets around and you are screwed for life.

[PK]

Dude! You're going to love it! :) Congrats!

PK

[skydawg]

While it's true the finish issue is no big deal from a sound aspect, I wouldn't totally forget about it. The finish has probably "softened". I would take it to an experienced luthier and ensure that the damage won't spread or lift. It won't cost much to repair and your guitar will be protected.

[Colt W. Knight]

Id leave the finish alone if it was me.You will regret refinishing it the first time you ding it real good or bang it up against something. Then your perfectly refinished guitar is a beat up old acoustic.

[eryque]

A repair like that shouldn't need a refin. It doesn't look like the defect goes very far below the surface, so wetsanding and buffing should take care of it. If it's much worse than it looks, then some overspraying in the affected area is in order.

[blue metalflake]

Originally Posted by Stefan

If I like it, I´ll keep it and send him the money. If I don´t want it I´ll just send it back and pay for the postage!

I hope you realise there is no chance of that thing going back. Once you have it in your hands, its there for life.

[Colt W. Knight]

What is there about a 28 not to like, especially an HD?

[Telarkaster]

Congratulations Stefan! Good for you. I've played a few D-28s and love them, they're my favorite Martins. But I've never had the priviledge of playing an HD-28.

If my memory serves me right from my recent shopping research, the HD-28 has the scalloped bracing like they used to have before WWII, and gives it a big booming bassy sound, as if the top of a regular D-28 has opened up. I've read reviews from a minority of D-28 owners (probably jealous) who say that the HD-28 was too bassy and that they prefer the D-28. Whatever. I've never tried a HD-28 so I won't comment, but I will say that you got it at an amazing price, and the finish damage looks very minor if not easily repaired.

Well done Stefan, I'm turning green with envy! You've got the holy grail of acoustics now. As if I wasn't already jealous of your D-16...

[Dennis68]

Congrats! Have you joined the UMGF yet?

[RickG501]

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

What is there about a 28 not to like, especially an HD?

Zip, zilch, nada, zero, goose egg, and nothing. Unless it needs a string change....

[Colt W. Knight]

Originally Posted by RickG501

Zip, zilch, nada, zero, goose egg, and nothing. Unless it needs a string change....

I got to say my Martin thoroughly enjoys a good string change.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Dennis68

Congrats! Have you joined the UMGF yet?

I joined some years ago when I bought my Martin 00015 (which I no longer have.)