Name: Terry Date: 4/21/10 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 5 - Best thing I ever played
Likes: Great bass and nice bright highs. I changed strings to 12's and sound was better. A little less muddy for a new guitar. Bonus was the action was even a tad lower. Spot on intonation! I checked every fret with a digital tuner. Perfect factory set up..
It will be a real canon when it opens up.
Dislikes: Don't get to play my other guitars much anymore! And I loved my old 1966 Gibson J-50 I have had since new!
Additional Comments: Maury has the best price in the country from what I could find...
Date: Dec. 30,2009 Review: HD Martin 28 Rating you give the Martin HD-28: 3 - Good product give it a try
Likes: When strings are new this guitar sounds great. Of course I'm proud to own one of these extremely popular guitar. Action was great out of the box.
Dislikes: AS soon as strings get just a little worn, the deep tones that make this guitar dampen a lot.
Name: John S Date: 21-03-2010 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Likes: Everything!Beatiful sound in high and low. I own a 2001 Martin HD-28 Bought it in 2006 After 4 years playing it sounds better and better.
Dislikes: Nothing.
Additional Comments: My guitar has an LR Baggs active element build in and sounds great on my AER C60 amp. Hope to buy a D-45 in the future to.
Date: Dec. 30,2009 Review: HD Martin 28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 3 - Good product give it a try
Likes: When strings are new this guitar sounds great. Of course I'm proud to own one of these extremely popular guitars. Action was great out of the box.
Dislikes: AS soon as strings get just a little worn, the deep tones that make this guitar dampen a lot.
Name: Gary Date: 12/3/09 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD-28: 1 - Save your money
Likes: nothing special
Dislikes: Customer service
Additional Comments: Had my HD28 only 6 months, it was new and had to send back to Nazareth for repair. Bracing on the top of the guitar was coming apart. They told me 12 to 14 weeks to get it back. They said "Even if it was Paul McCartney he would have to wait in line" That totally turned me off to their guitars. I did tell them that I actually do play music and make a semi living at it. My Alvarez Yiari is 14 years old and NEVER had one problem. Even to this day. Alvarez Yiari next!
Name: Jack Date: 8-20-2009 Review: HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD-28: 5 - Best thing I ever played
Likes: Has the right feel and quality sound. Everyone that hears it, loves it.
Dislikes: Can't fault it.
Forum username: Joeman Date: 4/4/2009 Review: Martin HD 28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 5 - Best thing I ever played
Likes: This guitar sounds so rich. Like night and day difference from any other guitar.
Dislikes: It's too good! Now my D-16GT sounds like cr@p in comparison!!!
Additional Comments: Thanks, Maury, for the best price on this guitar!
Name: G. Parker Date: May 14/08 Review: HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Likes: If all the other guitar makers are trying to capture that Martin sound, why not just buy a Martin and get the sound. I love the workmanship on this guitar, beautiful piece of Indian Rosewood on back and matching sides. It's a 2001 so sound is just starting to hit me. Seems like it's sounding better every day. For those who have just bought one, or are ready to buy, look forward to a great sound in five or six years.
Nice balance. Good bottom end for that authentic bluegrass run.
Dislikes: Here's the thing. I've owned lots of good guitars before but this is the first guitar that I've had to really watch the humidity of its environment. With the scalloped bracing and thinner piece of spruce on the top, combined with medium strings (for bluegrass punch)BE CAREFUL. Get yourself a humidity guage and keep it between 45 and 50 per cent at all times or you will regret it.
Saddle had to be compensated as string lengths were off from the factory. Replaced plastic nut and saddle with bone. Frets wear quickly (had to replace first seven frets and used Jim Dunlop fret wire because it is heavier and does not wear as fast).
Additional Comments: I should have asked for the regular case instead of the plastic one - I find the aluminum edging warps. Trick is to keep it closed and latched even if the guitar is out of the case.
Also, the Martin emblem scrolled into the case is like a be sign that says "steal me!"
Name: Bob M. Date: 02/29/08 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD-28: Very strong balanced sound with great sustain. Can hear every note clearly. Sounds best with std. 80-20 bronze strings. Can't wait for this lady to age !
Dislikes: Acion too high from factory setup. Needs a good tech to re-do the saddle.
Additional Comments: I chose this HD-28 over a D-35 and glad I did!
Name: Glenn Date: 2-19-08 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD-28: Killer price: $1953 from Maury's. Great setup and just the right amount of bass & sustain.
Dislikes: None.
Additional Comments: I thought I was an OM guy, but this guitar has changed me :)
Forum username: HumbleTroubadour Date: 29.11.2007 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD-28: Exclusive sound,every note is standing. Gives me that incredible C,S,N & Y sound for a far lower price than the D-45 or the CSN Gerry Tolman signature. For fingerpicking with other fingerpickers this one gives both, brilliant high and low.
Dislike about the Martin HD28: This beautiful guitar deserves a better (vintage-looking) hard shell wooden case in spite of the delivered plastic one. Action is a bit high out of the box. We had to lower the bridge a little bit.
Additional Comments: Has become my music partner for writing new songs.
Name: Bob B Date: 12/4/2007 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD-28: I absolutely love the rich sound this guitar produces,
particularly when fingerpicking in combination with a flatpick.
Dislike about the Martin HD28: Nothing.
Additional Comments: In 1997, I traded a 1983 Martin D-45 for a new HD-28 (received some $ too!) and have never regretted the swap. The HD-28 is by far the better sounding guitar.
Name: Greg B Date: Oct 15 2007 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD-28: Just bought the HD-28, love the solid feel it gives. The neck shape takes a bit to get used to but once I did I loved it, it fills out my hand beautifully. Very nice low-end sound. (because of the price I am being very picky, a lesser price guitar with the same sound/action would be rated as near perfect, although this definitely is close). Herringbone trim is amazing, lots of little things I could go on forever about it. I can't wait to age right alongside my new HD-28 as it will only open up more and sound better every time I pick it up.
Dislike about the Martin HD28: Action is a tad bit high out of the box. High-end tones seem to be a bit difficult to bring out. I'm hoping they will eventually "loosen up" with age. Mid-range is somewhere between the high and low-end sound quality but I'm expecting it to improve drastically with age and proper care (becasuse of the price of the guitar I am being very picky about things that would be otherwise rated as excellent with a lesser priced guitar).
Additional Comments: I love this guitar and I think I have finally found "the one" I will keep for the rest of my life.
Name: kottier Date: 29.09.07 Review:hd-28 Rating you give the Martin HD-28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD28: Beautifull sound. Nice piece of woood. Good sound right out of the box. From the first time I've played it I loved that "Neil Young Paintersound (album prairiewind)"!
Dislike about the Martin HD-28: None.
Additional Comments: Built in succesfully a Ibeam LR-Baggs pick-up. Sounds great. Never played such nice peace of wood!!
Name: Jerry Scott Date: 9/25/07 Review: Martin HD 28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 5 - Best guitar I ever played
Like about the Martin HD-28: After playing this guitar everything else I pick up sounds like a "toy" guitar. This thing is loud with a wonderfully balanced sound.
Dislike about the Martin HD28: They are not cheap but everytime you play it you are happy that you bought it.
Date: 5/5/07 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD-28: Great full sound, beautifully construct and finished.
Dislike about the Martin HD28: Nothing
Additional Comments: I tried a new HD-28 and then tried a 1997 HD-28 selling for 1/2 the price. The sound of the 1997 was far better than the new one. It had really come into its own the past 10 years. Bought the 1997.
Name or Forum username: jeffo Date: 3-27-07 Review: HD-28-2007 Rating you give the Martin HD-28: 5 - Best thing I ever played
Like about the Martin HD28: It was set up perfect. The sound is great being only a few weeks old.
Dislike about the Martin HD-28: The satin finish on the neck.
Additional Comments: Overall I am very impressed with the guitar and Maury's Music. Thanks!
Forum username: frsimpson Date: March 28 2007 Review: hd28 1981 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 5 - Best thing I ever played
Like about the Martin HD-28: Looks Great, Plays even better. Huge sound. Well balanced. Perfect intonation. The whole body vibrates and hums with the strum!
Dislike about the Martin HD28: After playing my HD 28 I can't stand playing lesser guitars.
Name: Gerard Date: 21/11/06 Review: Martin Hd 28 left Rating you give the Martin HD-28: 5 - Best thing I ever played
Like about the Martin HD28: energetic, full low, excellent sustain, look authentic
Dislike about the Martin HD28: A little high action at the start for me
Additional Comments: available for all the styles, she always replies present. the true symbol of the American guitar
** This review was translated from French to English.
Forum username: johnytadpole Date: 13 November 2006 Review: Martin HD 28 Rating you give the Martin HD28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD-28: The finish. The balanced tone throughout. Like the aroma of the wood and varnish
Dislike about the Martin HD-28: Having to be so careful with it as it is so amazingly well made and presented. Here in New Zealand it is considered rare and endangered so I'll have to spend more time protecting it.
Additional Comments: I've had a few Martins ( 4 ) in my time and this one would have to be one of the best. The factory case is much lighter than the old heaver ones.
Forum username: RonKT Date: 10/05/06 Review: Martin HD28 Rating you give the Martin HD-28: 5 - Best thing I ever played
Like about the Martin HD-28: The sound! I grew up lisetning to bluegrass music. Although my style is diffrent now I still love a deeper voiced guitar and this guitar is all I could ever ask for. Deep bass and still blending with mids and trebs very nicely. wonderful sustain and very easy to play. also beautiful without over adornment.
Dislike about the Martin HD28: MMMMMMM... nothing!
Additional Comments: Bought new. Played several other high end Martins this one stood out so I would recomend playing before buying to make sure it's what you want. I did take the saddle down 1/32.
Name or UMGF username: peterbright Date: 12/04/05 Review: HD-28 Rating you give the Martin HD-28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD28: Excellent tone, projection and set up straight out of the box. I didn't have to change anything.
Dislike about the Martin HD-28: I have small hands & would prefer a thinner neck. End pin was quite difficult to insert.
Additional Comments: I see why all other dreadnaughts are compared to this model. It is beautiful without being gaudy.
Name or UMGF username: R.W. Date: Nov 2005 Review: Martin HD28 Rating you give the Martin HD-28: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD28: This thing blows an ovation away,maybe just personal preference,but in my opinions ovations smell (bad)in other words they stink plastic back and sides,come on!?!?
Dislike about the Martin HD-28: Price would like to see these come down a bit in price but hey, it will last a life time if taken care of.
Additional Comments: I have been playing guitar for 14years and have owned over 40 guitars. Honestly I love the entire martin line.even the "little martin" has an enormous sound for the size and plenty of bass tone.
Name: Ted City/ State: Kingston Ontario Date: 13 Jan 05 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating: 4 - Highly recommend it
Like about the Martin HD-28: Excellent sound - deep base and "tingly" highs held together with accented midss light, sturdy, feels good.
Dislike about the Martin HD-28: Action is high out of the box. Had it set up but started buzzing.
Additional Comments: I had an Ovation before this and from a sound/projection point of view, kicks butt. From an playability point of view, similar to the Ovation with the nect being slightly deeper in profile.
Name: Chris City/State: NJ Date: 1/7/05 Review: Martin HD-28 Rating: 5 - Best thing I ever bought
Like about the Martin HD-28: Sustain, big bottom, bright top, ease of play (didn't even notice at first that those are medium strings!), as well as the look and feel of this great instrument.
Dislike about the Martin HD-28: The case could be a little sturdier.
Additional Comments: There is a reason why every other guitar is measured against Martin, and maybe even this model.
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