HD-28 What a revelation!

[Telarkaster]

So I went to my local store to check out their recent delivery of Fenders. Turns out I was late, they sold like hotcakes. Disgruntled, I shoved off to another store to check out their acoustics.

There they were, all the Martins that I ever wanted: D-16 LSH (wide fretboard, Large Sound Hole) perfect for fingerpicking, the mellow D-35, ballsy D-18, the comfy vee necked D-18V, and my favourite, the D-28.

The D-28 really did it for me, I would try the others and come back to it to compare and I loved what I heard, and how I played on it. Every one was beautiful in its own right and I want each and every one of them, but I was in a D-28 mood today.

Then I spotted the HD-28. Oh dear. I had only read of these magical beasts, never actually played one before. I was curious to hear the difference. First of all, what a beaut of a guitar. I knew it was supposed to have more "bling" but I didn't think I would be that impressed with it. I played it nervously for a bit then went back to the D-28. All of the sudden I was hearing all kinds of weird overtones that I didn't notice before. The HD-28 sounded some much more focused. Now I understand what all the fuss was about.

The plan to finance the purchase one has begun. I'll start by taking back my empties to the supermarket tomorrow...

I put it back on the shelf next to the $6100 leather clad Elvis Presley model and went back on to the street to calm down...

[RickG501]

Hey, Alpo enchiladas aren't half bad....

[PK]

I'm like you, I love em all. My HD28 was my 1st Martin.... I've been on the D28 & D18 kick the last few months.... I cannot put the D28 down, but when I do there's the 18 calling :O

PK

[studio1087]

The D-28 has heavier straight braces and the HD-28 has lighter scalloped braces. The HD will sound more open when new. You should hear more overtones from the new HD. Both will become canons over time but the HD will give you a head start. Some people think that the herringbone binding on the HD allows better top vibration than the traditional binding on the D-28.

I have a D-15 and an OM16. I have a life goal to buy an HD-28 before I turn 50.......that gives me 6 years. I need to start saving!

John

[Telarkaster]

Alpo enchiladas, mmm... Now if I can convince the wife and kids to change their diet too!

PK, you're a lucky man to have so many nice guitars, you too John!

I like the D-15 too. I was seriously considering one when I was shopping for an acoustic back in April and you gave me some good advice John, thanks.

The HD-28 was $2700, which made it look affordable when sitting next to the Elvis Presley model. I'm not a bad guitar player, but I don't know if I will ever be good enough to deserve a $2700 guitar. But if I had $2700 to spare I wouldn't care about such things, it would be mine! In the mean time, I'd better find the can opener for the Alpo...

[Sacdubro]

Fender electric & Martin acoustic what more could you ask for?

[rocksteady Max]

Originally Posted by Telarkaster

So I went to my local store to check out their recent delivery of Fenders. Turns out I was late, they sold like hotcakes. Disgruntled, I shoved off to another store to check out their acoustics.

Hey Telarkaster !! I'm a fellow Montrealer too. What are the stores you are talking about ? I know the Diplomate's got a big delivery of Fender couple of months ago and I got the best of the lot ...

Also, if you've tried the Martins at Steve's, I wonder if you've tried the Boucher ? Made in Quebec with Vermont Adirondack spruce top for a fraction of the Martin ... I got one myself. If you've never tried one : do it !

[williamfriggle]

I had a HD28 years ago. Great guitar. I also had a HD28V. The V was an absolute cannon. Best acoustic i ever had. WIsh I never had sold it. I now had Guild GAD-50, which is great but no HD28V. But I always loved the tight punchy tone of the D28. I like the tone of the non scalloped braces.

Bill

[Telarkaster]

Originally Posted by rocksteady Max

Hey Telarkaster !! I'm a fellow Montrealer too. What are the stores you are talking about ? I know the Diplomate's got a big delivery of Fender couple of months ago and I got the best of the lot ...

Also, if you've tried the Martins at Steve's, I wonder if you've tried the Boucher ? Made in Quebec with Vermont Adirondack spruce top for a fraction of the Martin ... I got one myself. If you've never tried one : do it !

Diplomate was the first store that I was talking about. I was told that they were going to get a big shipment of Strats and a few Teles in August so I went to check them out. The salesman said that they sold as fast as they got them. There are clients who go on a regular basis and buy whatever good new stuff they have.

From there I made it up to Italmelodie on Jean-Talon to check out their holy room of acoustics. They have Martins, Taylors, Larivees and Gibsons in that little humidified room in the back. Of note was the Martin OOO-16GTE Aura, played very nice unplugged and I know how good the Aura pickup system is.

Yes, I've played Bouchers at Steve's, and you're very lucky to own one! I played them back in April when I was shopping for an acoustic. I ended up getting a Seagull Min-Jumbo cutaway with sound hole mic and pickup in the bridge because the neck was so dreamy (wide across the nut but shorter scale) and it sounded good plugged in and acoustically too. It met my immediate needs, but the experience exposed me to the world of Martins...

[rocksteady Max]

Originally Posted by Telarkaster

but the experience exposed me to the world of Martins...

I haven't extensively played Martin guitars yet ... I've tried a D-28 against my Boucher dreadnought and the rest is history ...

Again, I really can't afford to love Martin guitar ; I won't even try them since I know I'm an impulsive buyer !

But I strongly suggest you go for it even if you think you can't afford it ! I'm so happy to have my dreadnough by my side ... There's something special about guitars that cost a lot ...

[zombywoof]

Congrats Bro. Enjoy the heck out that guitar.

Did ya get a chance to try the D-28 Authentic?
This is my favorite cuz it has the forward shifted X bracing (like the legendary Gibson AJ). I cannot for the life of me figure why this bracing is not used on more dreads and jumbos. Gives ya a bass like you have never heard before and a ton of resonance.

[bradpdx]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

C
Did ya get a chance to try the D-28 Authentic?
This is my favorite cuz it has the forward shifted X bracing (like the legendary Gibson AJ). I cannot for the life of me figure why this bracing is not used on more dreads and jumbos. Gives ya a bass like you have never heard before and a ton of resonance.

The D-28 Authentic is one expensive box at $40K (that's right - $40,000 for all that irreplaceable Brazilian Rosewood) - the HD-28 is a working man's bargain by any comparison, and can be had for $2500 or less any day of the week, brand new (list is $3300). If you really want a forward-shifted D-28, the Marquis fits that bill for around $5K list price and other models share that same bracing setup (D-42, etc.). Almost every "custom" model that Martin makes these days is forward-shifted, even the new "Car Talk" guitar (I am not making this up).

The forward-shifted bracing is common on many new upscale Martins; the HD-28 was released early in the cycle of Martin reissues and retains the "standard" brace positions with scalloped braces.

Interestingly, Martin used the forward-shifted bracing on dreadnaughts only from 1931 to 1937, after which they moved the braces back due to the higher number of warranty issues. With heavier strings, the forward-shifted braces provide less support in front of the bridge. They do sound different, but both bracing types can work very well - but I am sure no owners of 1938 D-28s are rushing to have their braces relocated

So the HD-28 is more like a post-1937 model while a forward shift model is more like a pre-1937 guitar. I'd settle for either one.

I've been using an HD-28 as my main workhorse acoustic for 11 years, and it is a wonderful and practical instrument. On stage and in the studio it always gets the job done; I've worn through 3 sets of frets so far. I have had several genuine 1930s Martins and this is my favorite, a real "Cannon of Nazareth".

[RickG501]

"I've been using an HD-28 as my main workhorse acoustic for 11 years, and it is a wonderful and practical instrument. On stage and in the studio it always gets the job done; I've worn through 3 sets of frets so far. I have had several genuine 1930s Martins and this is my favorite, a real "Cannon of Nazareth"."

Ok, let's see here... one Martin HD-28, $2500. 2 fret jobs, $600. The cost to own a truly wonderful dreadnaut for 11 years, $23 a mo. So, for less than a dollar a day a person could have all the pleasure a truly fine instrument can bring.....sounds like a deal to me.

[PK]

Dude! Your Seagull is no slouch! :) I think the playability & overall quality of the Seagull line is right up there with anybody. I'm happy you found an axe that called to you. Enjoy!

PK

[Telarkaster]

Thanks Zombywoof and PK! I've really been having fun with it. The Seagull neck is just right for me and I wish the Martin necks had the same specs.

I wasn't originally going out to look at Martins, but I could hear the Siren call from the first store I was at...

I was just happy to try a guitar that I had read so much about, and being far from disappointed despite the buildup and hype. For me that's more fun than getting to test drive a Ferrari.

Rick, do you want to try that exercise with the $40k D-28 Authentic? That's a lot of Alpo enchiladas!

Bradpdx, the D-28 Authentic makes that $6100 Elvis Presley Martin look affordable now...

Williamfriggle, your old HD28V sounds very interesting, that's the next guitar I'd like to try if I am lucky enough to find one in a store. I liked the neck on the D18V that I tried, different from my Seagull of course but filled my hand nicely. Was it similar to the neck on the D18V?

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by bradpdx

The D-28 Authentic is one expensive box at $40K (that's right - $40,000 for all that irreplaceable Brazilian Rosewood) - the HD-28 is a working man's bargain by any comparison, and can be had for $2500 or less any day of the week, brand new (list is $3300). If you really want a forward-shifted D-28, the Marquis fits that bill for around $5K list price and other models share that same bracing setup (D-42, etc.).

Actually, I am assuming that is the one I mean't - not being a true Martin fan I just got my names mixed up. Or else I got to play a $40 K geetar.

[RickG501]

T
As good as the Alpo Enchiladas are...they can get tiresome.

$40k for any one guitar is too much for me to even fathom....$2500 is cheap by those standards. But that said, I've played D-42 and D-45's that I didn't like better(and sometimes as much as) the D-25. JMHO, I like the D-35 as well as I like the HD-25, and it's about 2k. It's got the same kind of deep bass response and is a real work horse. JMO, YMMV.