Martin D-28 Comparison | Standard D-28 vs. HD-28 vs. D-28 Modern Deluxe

Today Cooper is taking a look at 3 amazing guitars from Martin. What he considers to be *the* guitar, *the* classic Dreadnought-- the Martin D-28. From the Standard non-scalloped version, to the Herringbone-adorned and scalloped HD-28, to the mack daddy D-28 Modern Deluxe. Take a look and a listen to these 3 inarguably beautiful instruments and let us know which one seems to be the best to you.

0:00 Intro/Specs
8:49 Martin D-28 Standard Demo
10:44 Martin HD-28 Demo
12:55 Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe Demo
14:54 Final Thoughts

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[markgriffiths]

I Just recently bought the Modern Deluxe. I have just recently retired, so I will have lots of time to learn to play it. If I can't, then I certainly can't blame the guitar!!

[greghale]

Bought my Martin D - 28 in 1981. Just gets better with age.

[justinray]

I have a 2019 HD-28 and it is the BEST guitar I've ever played or heard! It is sent straight from heaven. Wouldn't trade it for the world!

[MarcusBenz]

I have the HD-28…..it’s absolutely a dream to play & the sound is magical.

[mylerism]

The standard D-28 sounds sublime. And you do it credit, Cooper. I usually prefer mahogany over rosewood. But that gitbox has some mojo.

[johnlorenz]

The HD-28 for me. I admit I have a 1991 HD-28P. Not only to my ear, but the reaction I have received from others who have listened to it hear as warm, full bodied and balanced across the musical spectrum. Projects very well. The scallop bracing is essential to it's voice. It is THE iconic dreadnought. Thank you for this really good demo!

[justinray]

They quit using the herringbone on the d28 in ww2 due to a shortage of it since it came from Germany 🇩🇪 just thought I'd throw that out there. They couldn't get it at the time so they just did away with it completely for a long time. Love the video Cooper! Always dig your guys videos. Keep them coming. Especially the Martin videos!!

[davidwilson]

Wow!! Great playing and presentation of these Martin guitars. I think the D28 beats the others hands down. At least to me and other reviewers as well. A PURE Martin sound without all the "improvements". The D 28 is just a true icon and awesome guitar. Won me over. Don't have one but am working on changing that. Thank you Cooper.

[rolstonlarge]

I listened to all three while you were playing them & I thought that the HD-28 sounded the best to me.

[stevemayo]

I have had an HD-28 for about 20 years now in mint condition and love it. I enjoyed your video and honestly!

[bryancollins]

Played the D-28 HD, the D-35 and the D-18. The D-28 HD was hands down the best guitar I've ever played or heard. But the D-18 was a close second.

[JimboG]

I took 2 years playing different Martin dreadnought guitars for purchase. D-28, D35, D41, HD-28’s. I think that how the guitar was built probably played a bigger roll then if it had scalloped bracing or not or some other doodad’s, I didn’t have any preconceived idea on what to buy. I kept playing till I found one that spoke to me and I bought it. It was a D-28 that was hanging on the wall of the store. I usually stay away from wall hangers but this one sounded great. The best way is to use your ear and the guitar will let you ME. I noticed that rosewood had different colors in the grain and the top had these tiger strips, very unusual and visually appealing. So maybe the choice in woods when it was made had to do with the great tone.

[martinpaling]

The videos on acoustics from Alamo are the best I've seen and extremely informative.

[mariodriessen]

I was surprised to find out that I preferred the D-28 (the cheapest one). It sounded punchier and clearer. Actually, it's the sound I have in my head when I think of the typical Martin sound. The HD-28 was fairly similar, but it sounded a bit more mellow. And the modern deluxe was even mellower than that. Small margins, but in my opinion the D-28 was the perfect guitar. The other two were close.

[salfromchatham]

I’m here because I just bought one used, sight unseen. I DO prefer it over the HD and MD. But that’s not why I am commenting. Your playing is incredible. You make the technical look easy, which it isn’t, and the emotive is overlayed on top. Gorgeous chords. Wish I could get to this level. Bravo.

[Gargaslicer]

I appreciate the extended final thoughts and frankness. Enjoyable review.
My favorite tone was the D-28, which honestly surprised me. I expected to prefer the HD-28.

[klh]

I play a 1984 D-28 and its tone gets better every day, just a wonderful guitar.

[tomgaus]

This video was so helpful in my decision to buy a HD-28. It is my favorite guitar I've ever played and I'll have it the rest of my life. Great review and playing. I'd be really interested in a similar video comparing the 000-28 standard series, modern deluxe, and custom shop 1937.

[eladerlich]

Great presentation, just wanted to add that to the best of my knowledge the HD-28 is not the "kicked up" version but more of a reissue of the pre-war D-28 with the Herringbone and scalloping. The current D-28 guitar represents the straight braced D-28 of the late 40s through 60s, which despite being the apparently less desirable iteration of this guitar is actually the model played by Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, Johnny Cash and others in iconic recordings.

[rogerd]

Awesome playing and great review Cooper! I hope you do a lot more. With that said, I have several Martins so I consider myself a Martin fan. For me the standard D-28 had a more pleasing tone that the other two.