Martin D-28

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Monkey Allen

Monkey Allen

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Hey...I am looking at buying the Martin D-28.

Does anyone know if the modern ones (the ones for sale in shops now) are made in the US or Mexico? Or does it matter, in terms of quality?

In Australian dollars, I think I'm looking at about $4000. So that's about $3,170 US dollars.

I'm taking a jump in quality from the Taylor 110 and Martin DX1 that I own.

Any thoughts about the contemporary D-28?

thanks
 
About 20 years ago or so Martin had two lines of guitars that were made overseas [Shenandoah and Sigma], but they have not been in production for at least 10 years. I could be wrong, but I believe all Martins are made in the USA now. You might try contacting the company through their website to check the accuracy of my statement.
 
Maybe...but I know my Martin DX-1 was made in Mexico. It's pretty definite that the cheaper ones are made outside the US. I dunno about their more expensive ones, such as the D-28 though.
 
Monkey Allen said:
Hey...I am looking at buying the Martin D-28.

Does anyone know if the modern ones (the ones for sale in shops now) are made in the US or Mexico? Or does it matter, in terms of quality?

In Australian dollars, I think I'm looking at about $4000. So that's about $3,170 US dollars.

I'm taking a jump in quality from the Taylor 110 and Martin DX1 that I own.

Any thoughts about the contemporary D-28?

thanks
Click to expand...

D28s are made in the US. The HD28 is a much nicer D28, and is built more around the classic D28 than the current D28 is. I only mention that because in the US, your budget could swing the HD. I don't know what you would be dealing with down under.
 
A friend has an HD-28, and it's a cannon. It's so loud, it's hard to record. Sweet voice, too.

All D-28s and above (and variations) are made in Nazareth, PA, USA. That's why they ain't cheap.
 
Dont look past Australian Guitars for quality. Try Carson

Hi,

I am in Melbourne and am aware of the most brilliant manufacturer of guitars in Australia. The company is Carson Guitars in Melbourne (link Below). For around 4K Australian you can get what I reckon is the best available hand crafted guitar in the 2-6K range. My main guitarist has one of the single cutaway semi acoustic and it is by far leaps and bounds ahead in tone quality of our Matons and my very expensive Martin (USA). You wont find these in stores as I believe that they are made to order. Check him out at http://www.carson-crickmoreguitars.com.au/index.htm

The model that I have played regularly is simply the best acoustic guitar that I have ever held. I think it is the Series 3 cutaway.

These guitars are used by John Butler and Xavier Rudd amongst a few select others.

Please note that I have no affiliation to the company nor have I ever met the man behind the name. They are simply IMHO a way better guitar than a Martin or Maton.
 
Outlaws said:
D28s are made in the US. The HD28 is a much nicer D28, and is built more around the classic D28 than the current D28 is. I only mention that because in the US, your budget could swing the HD. I don't know what you would be dealing with down under.
Click to expand...

Thanks...do you think the HD is nicer in terms of sound, playability, construction...?

lpdeluxe said:
A friend has an HD-28, and it's a cannon. It's so loud, it's hard to record. Sweet voice, too.

All D-28s and above (and variations) are made in Nazareth, PA, USA. That's why they ain't cheap.
Click to expand...

What's the D-28 like to record? Any experience?

andyJB said:
Hi,

I am in Melbourne and am aware of the most brilliant manufacturer of guitars in Australia. The company is Carson Guitars in Melbourne (link Below). For around 4K Australian you can get what I reckon is the best available hand crafted guitar in the 2-6K range. My main guitarist has one of the single cutaway semi acoustic and it is by far leaps and bounds ahead in tone quality of our Matons and my very expensive Martin (USA). You wont find these in stores as I believe that they are made to order. Check him out at http://www.carson-crickmoreguitars.com.au/index.htm

The model that I have played regularly is simply the best acoustic guitar that I have ever held. I think it is the Series 3 cutaway.

These guitars are used by John Butler and Xavier Rudd amongst a few select others.

Please note that I have no affiliation to the company nor have I ever met the man behind the name. They are simply IMHO a way better guitar than a Martin or Maton.
Click to expand...

Yeah, thanks for that. I guess it would be difficult to trial one since they can not be found in local music shops...

There's some other good Australian makes in addition to these
 
Martins do tend to record boomy...better ones tone wise are the good Yamahas and Ovations...but you really have to tame the lows to make the Martins sound good.
 
Yeah, I guess I've heard that before. Taylors are brighter, Martins are more boomy. I'm not interested in Yamahs or Ovations really. I'm prepared to place mic's creatively for a Martin.

So...anyone out there have a contemporary D-28?
 
Monkey Allen said:
Thanks...do you think the HD is nicer in terms of sound, playability, construction...?

What's the D-28 like to record? Any experience?
Click to expand...

Its better in every respect. If you go and play a D28, and then pick up an HD28 afterwards, you will feel it. Its worlds apart.

People have been using them to record for a long time. It just depends on your style....and not pointing the mic directly at the sound hole. They are not going to be bright like a Taylor. However, I had a D41 which is a dressed up HD28, and there were moments it sounded like a piano.

I am sure Neil Young used a Martin to record Harvest and Harvest Moon. That should give you an idea of the sound. I think he prefers D45s, but even then.... having owned a D41(hd28), and having played the finest guitar in the world(imo), a D45V, I can say that it was just like playing a more refined version of my guitar...albeit 2.5x the cost.

Reguardless, the tone Martin is famous for comes from the D28, which is most well represented in the HD28 and HD28V from their modern lineup.
 
Martin D size bodies are trickier to record because they do tend to be boomy. Obviously though, it can be done as there are many great records recorded with them. I personally prefer smaller body guitars for playing and recording - especially if you are doing finger style guitar. 0, 00 and 000 size Martins are easier to play and more articulate IMHO. If you aren't doing blue grass (for which the D-28 is ideally suited), you might want to think about other guitars. I think Gibsons are a good compromise as they are less boomy than Martins and a bit brighter. I have a B-25 that records very well. My J-45 is easier to record than my D-28, but is still a bit big sounding for recording. YMMV.
 
Another approach is to get crappy monitors with poor bass response - that way you won't know your recordings are boomy :D

But really, I have an older D-28, and haven't found it too difficult to record - just have to keep the mics away from the soundhole. You guys with better monitors never said it was boomy in the MP3 clinic :)
 
pohaku said:
Martin D size bodies are trickier to record because they do tend to be boomy. Obviously though, it can be done as there are many great records recorded with them. I personally prefer smaller body guitars for playing and recording - especially if you are doing finger style guitar. 0, 00 and 000 size Martins are easier to play and more articulate IMHO. If you aren't doing blue grass (for which the D-28 is ideally suited), you might want to think about other guitars. I think Gibsons are a good compromise as they are less boomy than Martins and a bit brighter. I have a B-25 that records very well. My J-45 is easier to record than my D-28, but is still a bit big sounding for recording. YMMV.
Click to expand...

That's something I would think about...but I am still prepared to place mics carefully

antichef said:
Another approach is to get crappy monitors with poor bass response - that way you won't know your recordings are boomy :D

But really, I have an older D-28, and haven't found it too difficult to record - just have to keep the mics away from the soundhole. You guys with better monitors never said it was boomy in the MP3 clinic :)
Click to expand...

I must have top notch monitors, because when I record guitar it usually booms like a neverending series of 21 canon sallutes.
 
YeshuasFan said:
About 20 years ago or so Martin had two lines of guitars that were made overseas [Shenandoah and Sigma], but they have not been in production for at least 10 years. I could be wrong, but I believe all Martins are made in the USA now. You might try contacting the company through their website to check the accuracy of my statement.
Click to expand...



MOSTLY made in the USA. Some of the HPL guitars (the X guitars) and the travel guitars are made in Mexico. The style 15 and higher, at least, are all made in the USA, and without question a D-28 would be made right there in Nazareth, PA. They only make a very few cheap product lines in Mexico. Same with Taylor - only their lowest priced guitars are made in Mexico - the Babys, and Big Babys, and maybe the 110s. That's it. Though to be honest, with Taylor the Mexican and USA factories are something under 10 miles away from one another. The modern D-28s are very fine guitars, no question. (Although I did just find out they are doing something on their new guitars that will lead to a real PITA for the repair folks if you ever have to have the bridge reglued, but it's not something you need to worry about.)


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Martins are great.

Hi,
I have had an HD-28 for 11 years. I am a big Neil Young fan and I enjoy the boominess. I usually record with an SM 81, sometimes a pair will cancel some bass. I think the Martins are very well made, and now they are finally using bone for their nuts and saddles. My 1998 HD-28 came with Corian and Micarta nut and saddle, I have since changed them to bone and can really hear the difference. I also have the Martin D12-28 12 string, it is absolutely awesome sounding. It is not so boomy, apparently from the braces being stiffer, but has the loudest volume and the most sustain I have ever heard on an acoustic. I attribute this to the extra compression on the saddle from 12 strings and the extra mass of the larger headstock and 12 machine heads. Yes, the Martins are very expensive, but they will be your friend for life. Goodluck in your purchase.
Victory Pete:)
 
Well, I obviously displayed my ignorance about where some Martins are made. But I have to agree, the boom of a Martin dreadnought is a signature sound and Neil Young captured it and made it work to perfection on Harvest--at least IMO.
 
Well that's all great info, thanks, I look forward to having a go of some when I get back to Australia in a couple of weeks.
 
Oh yeah, and they recently (last year or two) went to fretting their guitars in a way which will raise the cost of refrets (pocketed fret slots instead of through, which makes it like refreting a bound fingerboard, which adds $100 in my shop). It makes certain parts of the manufacturing process easier, but it makes them more expensive to maintain. For this reason, and the thing with the bridge, it wouldn't be a bad idea to look for a slightly used one from a year or two ago.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
andyJB said:
Hi,

I am in Melbourne and am aware of the most brilliant manufacturer of guitars in Australia. The company is Carson Guitars in Melbourne (link Below). For around 4K Australian you can get what I reckon is the best available hand crafted guitar in the 2-6K range. My main guitarist has one of the single cutaway semi acoustic and it is by far leaps and bounds ahead in tone quality of our Matons and my very expensive Martin (USA). You wont find these in stores as I believe that they are made to order. Check him out at http://www.carson-crickmoreguitars.com.au/index.htm

The model that I have played regularly is simply the best acoustic guitar that I have ever held. I think it is the Series 3 cutaway.

These guitars are used by John Butler and Xavier Rudd amongst a few select others.

Please note that I have no affiliation to the company nor have I ever met the man behind the name. They are simply IMHO a way better guitar than a Martin or Maton.
Click to expand...

This may all be true, but you want to speak to the man about his website - if he wants $5000+ of my money for his top of the line weapon, I at least want to be able to see a picture of it...
 
Just out of interest, what are they doing to the bridge?
 
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